Guide / How-to
Complete Descript Tutorial: Edit Video by Editing Text
Descript lets you edit video and audio as if you were editing a transcript. This guide covers the basics — creating a project, transcription, text-based editing, filler removal, captions and export.
What Descript is
Descript's signature is text-based editing: edit the transcript and the video/audio edits with it. Delete a sentence and the matching footage is cut too, so you edit intuitively without micromanaging a timeline. It's strong for spoken content — podcasts, explainers and interviews. To generate video from text, see Fliki or Pictory; for browser editing, Veed.io.
How to use Descript in 5 steps
Step 1: Create a project
Sign up and open a new project. If a free plan is available, validate the workflow for free first; free tiers usually cap transcription time or export. See best free AI video tools.
Step 2: Import media and transcribe
Upload the video or audio you want to edit and Descript transcribes it automatically, with multilingual support. Auto-transcription can contain errors, so skim the text first.
Step 3: Edit the text to cut
The core feature is text-based editing: delete a sentence in the transcript and the matching video/audio is cut too. Use it like this:
- Delete misspeaks and tangents by removing the sentences
- Move text to reorder sections
- Keep only the key points by tightening the script
Step 4: Remove fillers and tidy captions
Use the filler-word removal ("um", "uh") and silence-trimming features to improve pace. Generate captions and fix errors so the video works with sound off. See auto subtitles & captions.
Step 5: Preview and export
Preview the full project and, if it looks good, export. Free tiers may add a watermark or resolution limits, so check paid-plan terms if that matters.
Tips for a better result
- Compose with text: slim the cut by tidying the script
- Remove fillers: cut connective words for pace
- Use captions: understandable with sound off
- Final check: fix transcription errors before export
Notes on commercial use
For monetization or ads, check your plan's commercial terms and the licenses of music, assets, fonts and any voice synthesis you use. See our AI video commercial-use guide.
Summary
Descript goes create project → transcribe → edit text → remove fillers/captions → export, letting you finish video by editing words. Validate transcription accuracy on the free tier first. To compare tools, see the comparison ranking. Pricing and support change — confirm officially.
FAQ
What makes Descript special?
Descript's signature is text-based editing: edit the transcript and the video/audio edits with it. Delete a sentence and the matching footage is removed too, so you can edit intuitively without fiddling on the timeline.
Does Descript support other languages?
Transcription supports multiple languages and can transcribe many audio sources. Auto-transcription can contain errors, so review and fix before exporting. Confirm current language support officially.
Is Descript free?
A free plan is often available, usually with caps on transcription time or export. Validate the workflow for free, then check paid-plan terms for production use.
What is Descript best for?
It's great for spoken content — podcasts, explainers, interviews. To generate video from text, use Fliki or Pictory; for avatar videos, Synthesia or HeyGen.