Captions have become an increasingly important feature of videos nowadays. They're a game-changer for people who have a hearing disability or just watch videos with the sound off. But as we all know, sometimes those captions need a little personal touch.
Whether it misheard a word, got a name wrong, or just missed a key piece of punctuation, knowing how to edit those subtitles is a vital skill for any creator. The good news is, TikTok makes it easy to fix things before you post.
Editing Auto-Generated Captions Before You Post
Ideally, this is the best time to fix any errors. TikTok's editing tools are designed to be used in the pre-posting stage, giving you full control over your content.
- Record or Upload Your Video: Create your video as you normally would. Once you're done, tap the checkmark to go to the editing screen.
- Generate Captions: On the right-hand side of the screen, you'll see a vertical menu. Look for the "Captions" button. Tap it, and TikTok will automatically transcribe the audio in your video.
- Review and Edit: Once the captions are generated, you'll see them displayed on your video. TikTok's AI is pretty good, but it's crucial to read through them. If you spot a mistake, simply tap on the text on the screen. This will open the text editor, where you can correct spelling, grammar, or adjust the timing.
- Customize the Look: You can also use this opportunity to change the font, color, and size of your captions to match your video's style. Make sure the text is easy to read against your video's background.
- Save Your Changes: Once you're happy with your edits, tap "Done" to save the captions. You can then continue to add any other effects or edits before posting your video.
Can You Edit Auto-Generated Captions After Posting?
This is where it gets a little tricky. Historically, TikTok did not allow you to edit any captions or subtitles after a video was live. The only solution was to delete the video and re-upload it.
However, TikTok has been rolling out an "Edit post" feature. This allows you to go back and fix the post description, hashtags, and mentions. Some users have reported that this feature also includes an option to "Edit captions." This is a relatively new and not universally available feature, but if you have it, here's how it works:
- Find the Video: Go to your profile and open the video you want to edit.
- Access the Menu: Tap the three dots on the right side of the screen.
- Look for "Edit Captions": In the menu, look for an option that says "Edit Captions" or "Edit post." If you find it, you can tap it to open the text editor and make your changes.
- Save: Tap "Save" to update the subtitles on your live video.
Important Note: If you don't see this feature, you'll have to use the old-school workaround:
- Save the Video: Tap the three dots and select "Save video."
- Delete the Original Post: This will remove the video, but you'll have a copy on your device.
- Re-upload and Re-caption: Start a new post, upload the saved video, and this time, carefully edit the auto-generated captions before you hit "Post."
The most reliable method is to always double-check your captions before you post. It's a small step that can save you a lot of time and ensure your content is as polished and accessible as possible.
A Smart Alternative for Polished Captions
Another easy and smart way of adding captions to your video is through FireCut Shorts. Let AI generate the captions! With this tool there are fewer chances of error and a lot of options for customization like a variety of fonts, styles, and presets. You can also add emojis and animation to your captions with FireCut Shorts. So you have total control over the layout and look of your videos. FireCut Shorts is a web-based browser designed specifically for short-form content, keeping in mind the concept of virality. So if you want to save time, increase engagement, and improve efficiency, try FireCut Shorts now!