How do I edit captions in Canva?

To edit captions in Canva, you'll first need to create them (either manually or through auto-generation) within your video project. Once the captions are created, you can then adjust their content, timing, appearance, and placement. Here's a breakdown of the steps:

1. Open Your Video Project: Launch Canva and open the video project containing the captions you want to edit.

2. Select the Caption Track/Layer: In the timeline at the bottom of the screen, locate and select the caption track. Captions might appear as individual blocks corresponding to different segments of speech. If you used Canva's autogenerated captions, they are automatically placed in a track.

3. Edit the Caption Text:

   • Double-click on the specific caption you want to modify. This usually opens a text editing box directly on the video or in a side panel.
   • Type in your corrections or changes. Review for accuracy in spelling, grammar, and timing.

4. Adjust Caption Timing:

   • Drag the edges of the caption block in the timeline to lengthen or shorten the duration for which the caption is displayed.
   • Move the entire caption block horizontally along the timeline to adjust its start and end times. Ensure it aligns with the corresponding spoken words.

5. Customize the Appearance:

   • With the caption selected, look for formatting options in the toolbar above the video. These options usually include:
     • Font: Choose a different font style.
     • Font Size: Increase or decrease the size of the text.
     • Color: Change the text color and background color (if applicable).
     • Position: Move the captions to different locations on the screen (e.g., top, bottom, center).
     • Effects: Add shadows, outlines, or other visual effects to enhance readability.
     • Transparency: Adjust the opacity of the caption background.

6. Split or Merge Captions (If Necessary):

   • If a caption contains too much text or covers multiple lines, split it into two. Select the caption and look for a "Split" or similar option.
   • If two captions are too short and should be combined, remove the second caption and extend the first to cover the duration of the second caption. Edit the text accordingly.

7. Review and Refine: Play back your video with the edited captions to ensure they are accurate, properly timed, and easy to read. Make any necessary adjustments.

8. Using Auto-Generated Captions: Canva has the option to auto-generate captions, which is a good starting point, but you still need to review and edit them for accuracy. Follow the steps above to edit the generated captions. The process is the same as editing manually created captions.

Example:

Let's say Canva's auto-generated caption transcribed "hello there" as "hello their." You would select the caption, double-click on the text, and correct "their" to "there." You might also adjust the timing if the caption appears slightly before or after you say "hello there" in the video.

By following these steps, you can effectively edit captions in Canva to ensure your videos are accessible and engaging for your audience. Remember to save your changes regularly as you work.