3.2 – Edit Videos Using Text Lesson

Lesson Overview

Editing videos by manipulating the transcript instead of hunting through video frames has changed how many content creators approach post-production. This lesson introduces the core workflow for text-based editing in Pictory: uploading your video or audio, receiving an AI-generated transcript, and then making your changes directly to the text. If you’ve ever wished editing was as easy as correcting a document, this method delivers just that.

This feature is designed for anyone who wants straightforward video edits—perfect for trimming out mistakes, filler words, or silent gaps, and for producing professional results without advanced skills. Real examples include updating internal presentations, cleaning up recorded webinars, or cutting long screen recordings down for social media. You’ll also see how to highlight important moments and export those clips for other uses.

By following this workflow, you can produce high-quality videos faster and with less technical friction. Whether you’re a solo creator or part of a team producing lots of content, learning to edit via transcript puts powerful editing choices just a few clicks away.

Who This Is For

If you want to save time and avoid the complexity of traditional video editing tools, this lesson is designed for you.

• Marketers who need to quickly repurpose long videos for social posts
• Educators cleaning up lecture recordings or tutorials
• Business professionals delivering polished internal communications
• Social media managers creating highlight reels from webinars or interviews
• Anyone handling screen recordings or voice-over presentations
• Beginners interested in accessible video editing solutions

Where This Fits in a Workflow

Text-based editing in Pictory fits best at the initial editing and review stage, right after recording your video content but before adding final enhancements like music or branded visuals. For example, after recording a screen tutorial using Loom, you upload the video to Pictory. You then use the transcript interface to remove mistakes, cut lengthy pauses, and delete off-topic sections—all in a few clicks.

This approach is especially useful when turning a long-form video (such as a meeting, webinar, or demo) into concise segments tailored for YouTube or social platforms. Later steps—like adding music, visuals, or resizing for sharing—can be done after you’ve completed the content clean-up, ensuring your final product is focused and professional.

Technical & Workflow Benefits

Editing video through text offers a much faster alternative to traditional timeline editing. Previously, you’d have to scrub through footage, make careful cuts, and risk leaving awkward jumps or missed sections. With Pictory, simply highlight and delete the unwanted words or sentences in the transcript, and the corresponding video is cut automatically. This is especially effective for removing filler words (“um,” “uh”), trimming out silences, or quickly generating highlights.

If your video includes lots of spoken content, this method can save hours per project—letting you edit by reading instead of by frame. It also helps maintain edit consistency, as you’re working directly with what was said, not just visuals. For teams producing a lot of similar content, this approach keeps editing time predictable and reduces the need for advanced technical skills

Practice Exercise

Use a sample video of your own—a previously recorded screen share, Zoom call, or voice-over video. If you don’t have one, Pictory provides a demo file for testing.

1. Upload your video into Pictory and let it generate a transcript.
2. Try deleting a few sentences or sections directly from the transcript. Observe how Pictory removes that portion from both the audio and video.
3. Use the highlight feature to select 2–3 key statements, then download just your highlights as a short reel.

Question:
How did working with the transcript change your editing process compared to using a traditional timeline? Which method felt faster or more accurate for your specific project?

Course Context Recap

Editing video using text is a foundational process for making quick, clean cuts in Pictory. In earlier lessons, you learned how to import and transcribe videos. This lesson built on those basics by showing you how to use the transcript for highly efficient edits and highlights. Next up, you'll explore how to turn those highlights into unique video assets. Continue through the course to get the most out of each editing technique and streamline your video creation journey.