Use your own transcript

Want to bring an already edited transcript into your Descript composition? Use Replace transcript or Import transcript to swap out Descript’s automatic transcription with your own text file.

In the app, you’ll see Replace transcript if your file already has a transcript, or Import transcript if it hasn’t been transcribed yet.

Before you start

  • English only: This feature currently supports English-language transcripts only.
  • Speaker labels: Speaker names should be followed by a colon (Speaker Name: dialogue text). Descript will detect and apply labels automatically.
  • Content matching: Your transcript should closely match the underlying audio or video. Minor differences like filler words ("um," "uh") are okay, but major mismatches may cause issues.

How to replace or import a transcript

  1. Open the Project panel in the left sidebar.
  2. Click the ••• menu next to your file.
  3. Select Replace.

  4. Click Replace transcript….

    Replace transcript dialog in Descript with a text box to paste your transcript
  5. Paste your transcript into the text box that appears.

  6. Click Sync to apply your imported transcript.

    Sync the imported transcript in Descript after pasting your own text

Descript will completely replace your existing transcript with the new one. Your project file will now use the updated transcript.

Not seeing the Replace transcript option?
If you're working with an untranscribed file, use Import transcript from the project file’s actions menu instead.