How to Use Speech to Text in Filmora

Key takeaways:

• Filmora has a built-in speech to text feature for easy captions
• You can pick between simple captions or animated styles
• Manual edits help fix mistakes in the generated text

Turning speech into text for your videos is a must if you want your content to be more accessible and engaging. I always see creators on TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube using captions, making it easy for people to follow along, even on mute. If you’re using Filmora, you don’t need any outside software—speech to text is built right in, and I’ll walk you through how I use it.

Adding Your Video or Audio File to the Timeline is Step One

Before anything, I drop my video or audio clip into the Filmora timeline. This is where everything starts. I usually record my audio first, but you can use any video file.

Using the Speech to Text Feature: Where to Find It and How It Works

Once my file’s on the timeline, I click it to select. Then I look for the speech to text option in the toolbar. There are two choices: speech to text and dynamic captions. The regular speech to text gives you simple, classic captions—just the words on screen, nothing fancy.

On the other hand, dynamic captions are more like what you see on viral TikTok clips. Bigger fonts, some animation, and a more modern look. If I want my video to pop on social, I go for dynamic captions.

Choosing Language and Translation Settings

Filmora lets me pick the language for the captions. I usually stick with English, but there are other options depending on your needs. If you want to translate the audio, there’s an option for that too, but I usually skip it if my video’s already in English.

Deciding How Much of the File to Caption (Clip Selection vs. Entire Timeline)

There’s a choice between clip selection and entire timeline. If I only want captions on a specific clip, I pick clip selection. If I want everything captioned, I go with entire timeline. Just a heads up: Filmora uses AI credits for this feature, so longer files might cost more. I try to keep it efficient by only captioning what I need.

Generating the Captions: Waiting for the Magic

After setting everything up, I hit generate. Filmora processes the audio and spits out the captions. For short clips, it’s usually done in seconds. If my video’s long, I grab a coffee and wait a bit.

Reviewing and Editing the Captions for Accuracy

Once Filmora’s done, I play back the video to check the captions. Sometimes the AI gets words wrong, especially with brand names or if my pronunciation is off. No big deal—I just click the text, open the text editor, and fix any mistakes. This is key if you want your captions to actually make sense.

If you’re new to Filmora, check out this guide on how to know if Filmora is registered.

Customizing the Caption Style: Templates and Animation

Filmora gives me a bunch of templates for my captions. I can make the text bigger, change the animation, or pick a style that fits my video’s vibe. Sometimes I want captions that show several words at once, or I want a certain color scheme. I just browse the templates, click the one I like, and hit apply to all if I want it across the whole video.

If you want to get even more creative, see how to add text in Filmora for more styling tips.

Fixing Common Issues: AI Mistakes and Manual Edits

The AI isn’t perfect. If you’re not a native English speaker, or if you use words that aren’t in the dictionary, expect some weird results. I always double-check and edit the captions manually. Just click the text, go to the basic tab, and type in the correct word.

Why Captions Matter for Your Videos

I use captions so people can watch my videos anywhere, even if they’re in a noisy place or have the sound off. It’s also great for accessibility—more people can enjoy your content. Plus, captions can help with SEO if you’re posting on YouTube.

Tips for Getting the Best Results with Filmora Speech to Text

• Speak clearly when recording your audio
• Keep background noise low
• Use short clips if you want faster processing
• Always review and edit the captions before publishing

If you’re looking for more ways to improve your Filmora projects, check out how to improve video quality in Filmora.

Exporting and Sharing Your Captioned Video

Once I’m happy with the captions, I export the video as usual. The captions are baked in, so they show up on any platform. No extra steps needed.

If you want to record your screen and add captions later, here’s a guide on how to record desktop screen in Filmora.

FAQs

How do I fix wrong words in Filmora speech to text captions?

Just click the text, open the editor, and type in the right word. Super easy.

Can I use speech to text for any language?

Filmora supports several languages. Pick your language before generating captions.

Does Filmora charge for speech to text?

Yes, it uses AI credits, so longer videos might cost more. Keep your clips short if you want to save credits.

What’s the difference between speech to text and dynamic captions?

Speech to text gives you simple captions. Dynamic captions add animation and bigger fonts for a more modern look.

Can I change the style of my captions after generating them?

Yep, just pick a new template and hit apply to all. You can always edit the look later.

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