How to Add Captions in Canva - Make Information Clearer

Want to make your videos more impactful? Learn how to add captions in Canva with our detailed guide. We will also discuss the top tips and the offline alternative, CapCut, for adding captions to videos.

How to add captions in canva
CapCut
CapCut
Jun 16, 2025

Adding captions within Canva is an excellent way to enhance videos and your content to make it more exclusive. This article discusses the benefits and methods for adding captions in Canva, using the text and caption tools. In the end, we will look at some pro tips for adding captions to videos. CapCut is the best offline alternative for adding captions to videos. Its features, such as auto-captions and multilingual support, make it an effective tool for adding captions to videos.

Table of content
  1. Why choose Canva for adding captions to videos
  2. How to add captions to images in Canva
  3. How to add captions to a video in Canva with the Captions feature
  4. How to add captions automatically using the offline tool CapCut
  5. Pro tips for adding captions to videos
  6. Conclusion
  7. FAQs

Why choose Canva for adding captions to videos

  • Auto captions generation: Canva provides the "Captions" feature that allows you to generate captions automatically and fast. This tool is especially useful for creators looking to improve accessibility and boost engagement
  • Pre-designed caption templates: Canva offers a selection of pre-designed caption templates that are easy to apply and time-saving. You can drop and drag the templates onto the timeline and begin editing.
  • Fonts and styles: Canva offers over 100 fonts within the tool and complete control of text color, size, and positioning, so you can brand your captions and give your videos a professional look.
  • Animated text effects: Make your captions interactive using Canva's native text animations. Employ effects like typewriter, fade, and bounce to synchronize the captions with the theme or style of your video.
  • No watermarks: Videos exported from Canva are watermark-free, even on the free plan, so you get high-quality videos without any additional fees.
  • Cloud-based access: The tool lets you create and edit captioned videos anywhere. As it's an online tool, you don't need any software installation, making it perfect for team collaboration.

How to add captions to images in Canva

    STEP 1
  1. Upload your image

First, launch Canva and create a new project. You may choose a blank canvas or a template depending on your requirements. Second, click on "Uploads" from the left-hand side panel and upload your image. After uploading, drag the image to the main canvas to begin editing.

Upload your image
    STEP 2
  1. Add and personalize the options

To insert text, click on the "Text" tab. Then, choose "Add a Heading." Type your captions for the image. After that, use the settings to adjust the font, color, size, and position.

Add and personalize the options
    STEP 3
  1. Export the image with captions

Once you're satisfied with the captions, click the "Share" button in the top-right corner of the screen and then select the "Download" option. Choose your desired format (JPG, PNG, PDF, etc.) Finally, click the "Download" button to save the video to your PC.

Export the image with captions

How to add captions to a video in Canva with the Captions feature

    STEP 1
  1. Upload your video

To get started, open Canva and create a new project by selecting a template or starting with a blank canvas. Click on the "Uploads" tab from the left panel. Then, upload your file and drag it onto the canvas. Once done, the video will appear on the timeline, ready for editing.

Upload your video
    STEP 2
  1. Add and customize captions

Click on your video to select it. To add captions in Canva, click on the "Apps" tool and find the "Captions" option or search for the captions option. After that, Canva's AI algorithm will automatically generate captions for your video. You can edit the text, adjust the fonts and colors, and reposition the captions as you like. Adjust the timeline options to ensure the captions perfectly sync with the audio.

Add and customize captions
    STEP 3
  1. Export the video with captions

Once satisfied with the captions, click the "Share" button in the top-right corner of the screen. Click download, and select the video format. Finally, click "Download" to export the video with the caption.

Export the video with captions

This is all about adding captions in Canva. Although Canva is quite an effective tool for adding captions to images and videos, its main limitation is that it is only available online. So, if you want an offline alternative for adding captions to videos, choose CapCut.

How to add captions automatically using the offline tool CapCut

CapCut is a versatile video editing software popular for its beginner-friendly interface and powerful editing features. Its auto-captions feature makes it an excellent tool for adding captions to videos automatically. You can also choose to use the bilingual captions feature to translate captions into different languages. Moreover, you can customize the generated text and caption styles using its text customization features. Download CapCut today and use its auto-captions features to add appealing captions to your videos.

Key features

  • Auto captions: CapCut's auto captions feature lets you generate captions for videos automatically. The tool also supports bilingual captions.
  • Manual text captions: You can manually insert and time the captions anywhere in the video for complete control.
  • Customizable text and caption styles: The software offers customizable text and caption styles, including the font, size, and color.
  • Multi-language support: CapCut offers multi-lingual support, allowing you to add captions in English, Chinese, and Spanish.

Steps to use CapCut to add captions to videos

    STEP 1
  1. Import your video

First, open CapCut and create a new project. Next, click "Import" and select a video that you want to edit from your PC. Drag the video onto the timeline to begin editing.

Importing your video into CapCut
    STEP 2
  1. Add the captions automatically

To add captions to your video, select "Captions." Choose the spoken language and click "Generate." If you need bilingual captions, select the translated language in "Bilingual captions." After that, CapCut's AI algorithm will automatically generate captions for you. You can customize the fonts, color, size, and text animations to make captions more appealing. You can manually add subtitles by clicking the "Text" option and adding text wherever you want.

Adding the captions in CapCut
    STEP 3
  1. Export the video

Once you are satisfied with the video, click "Export" in the top-right corner of the screen. Select your format and desired resolution. You can also just export caption files by selecting "Captions," then clicking "Export" to save the video to your computer. Once exported, you can share the video directly on platforms like YouTube and TikTok.

Exporting the video in CapCut

Pro tips for adding captions to videos

  • Save time with auto-captions: When editing videos, saving time is crucial, and auto-captions can help you do just that. CapCut's auto-captions feature automatically adds captions to your videos. For example, if you upload a vlog, it can detect the spoken language and generate captions in seconds.
  • Use Bilingual captions: Using bilingual captions in videos helps expand your audience. CapCut's bilingual captions feature allows you to add multiple languages when generating captions. For example, if the video is in English but you want to add Spanish subtitles, CapCut's bilingual captions feature can do this.
  • Make key information stand out: Animated text can make the essential information stand out, enhancing engagement. CapCut enables you to add animated text effects to make your captions pop out. For example, you can animate the CTAs, like "Don't miss out" or "Subscribe to the channel."
  • Match brand style with customizable captions: Maintain a consistent brand identity by editing the caption fonts, sizes, or colors. CapCut's text customization tools let you do this and much more. For example, a tech channel might require bold, modern fonts, which you can easily create in CapCut's text styling options.
  • Sync the captions for clarity: Perfect timing makes it easy to read and understand the captions. CapCut lets you fine-tune the caption timings on the video timeline. For example, in a fast-paced vlog, you can accurately make captions appear with each dialogue.

Conclusion

Adding captions in Canva enhances both accessibility and engagement. This article discusses the top benefits and the method of adding captions in Canva. By following pro tips, such as using pre-designed templates, adding animated text, bilingual captions, and customizable fonts, you can further enhance the captions. Although Canva is an excellent tool for adding captions to videos, its main limitation is that it is only available online. So, if you want an offline tool for adding captions to videos, choose CapCut. Its features, such as auto-captions, customizable text styles, and multilingual support, make it the best tool for adding captions to videos. So, get CapCut today and enhance your videos with attractive captions.

FAQs

    1
  1. How do I add bilingual captions in Canva?

To add bilingual captions in Canva, use the "Text" feature to create your captions. Then, manually input the translations for each section using different translation tools. However, this process is quite time-consuming and demands precision. For a more seamless experience, use CapCut's bilingual captions feature, which automatically generates bilingual captions for your videos within seconds.

    2
  1. Can Canva export captions as SRT files?

No, Canva doesn't support exporting captions as SRT files. You need to input the captions and then adjust the timing manually. If you want to export captions as SRT files, choose CapCut, which allows you to automatically add captions to your videos and export them as SRT and TXT files.

    3
  1. Can Canva directly import external subtitle files?

No, Canva doesn't support importing files with external subtitles, like SRT or VTT. You need to manually add captions in Canva or use the auto caption features to add captions automatically. If you're looking for a video editing tool that allows you to import external subtitle files, CapCut is a good choice. The tool lets you seamlessly import and integrate subtitles into your video editing workflow.