How do I get captions into Premiere Pro, DaVinci Resolve or Final Cut Pro?

Which caption files can the editing apps import?

All three apps import SRT, the most common subtitle format: plain text with a start and end time for each caption.

App	Imports SRT	Notes
Premiere Pro	Yes	Also reads broadcast formats such as SCC; see Adobe's captions guide
DaVinci Resolve	Yes	Imported as a subtitle clip you place on a subtitle track
Final Cut Pro	Yes	Also reads iTT and CEA-608 (SCC); see Apple's guide

None of them imports ASS, the format that keeps fonts, colors and animation. ASS is meant for players and tools such as FFmpeg.

Do animated caption styles survive in an SRT file?

No. SRT stores only text and timing. When you import it, the editing app shows the captions in its own caption style, which you can change: font, size, color, background and position. Word-by-word pop-ups, karaoke highlights and bouncing words can't be carried by SRT.

How do I get animated captions into my edit?

Pick the route that matches what you need:

1. Editable, plain captions in the timeline: import an SRT and style it in the editing app. Good for long videos, YouTube uploads and client revisions.
2. Animated captions on the final video: finish your edit, export it, then add the animated captions to that export. Publish the captioned MP4. Re-export from your editor and caption again if the cut changes.
3. Both: publish the captioned MP4, and upload an SRT to YouTube or LinkedIn as a caption track for viewers who use captions.

How do I import an SRT file?

• Premiere Pro: choose File > Import, select the SRT, then drag the caption item onto your sequence. It appears as a caption track.
• DaVinci Resolve: right-click in the Media Pool and choose Import Subtitle, then drag the subtitle clip onto the timeline above your video tracks.
• Final Cut Pro: choose File > Import > Captions and select the SRT.

The captions line up only if the SRT was made from the same cut. If you trim the edit afterwards, the timing will drift; make a new SRT from the final export. To burn an SRT into a video without an editing app, see how to add an SRT file to a video.

How to do it in CaptionBolt

For editors who need captions fast, CaptionBolt turns the audio into word-timed captions you can correct, then exports an SRT for Premiere Pro, DaVinci Resolve or Final Cut Pro, or a burned-in MP4 with an animated style.

1. Export your edit and upload it to CaptionBolt.
2. Check the text in the Text Editor and fix names and terms.
3. Download the SRT for your editing app, or choose a style and export the MP4 with captions burned in.

Plans and files:

• MP4 on every plan.
• MP4, SRT, ASS, TXT on Pro, so SRT starts there.
• MP4, SRT, ASS, VTT, TXT on Max.
• The longest upload is 10 minutes on Pro and 20 minutes on Max.

All 338 styles are included on every plan. See which subtitle files CaptionBolt can export and SRT and ASS export.

When another approach is better

• You deliver broadcast captions in formats such as SCC or broadcast XML. Use a professional captioning service or your editing app's own caption export.
• You need captions while the cut is still changing. Use your editing app's built-in transcription, then add the animated version once the edit is locked.