How to Put Text on iMovie

PDF download Download Article
PDF download Download Article

This wikiHow will show you how to add text to an iMovie on Mac, iPhone, and iPad like a title or subtitle. Since iMovie itself doesn't have preset features to add subtitles, you'll need to tweak a title to suit your subtitle needs.

Method 1
Method 1 of 2:

Adding a Title

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/0\/02\/Put-Text-on-iMovie-Step-1.jpg\/v4-460px-Put-Text-on-iMovie-Step-1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/0\/02\/Put-Text-on-iMovie-Step-1.jpg\/aid12113116-v4-728px-Put-Text-on-iMovie-Step-1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    You can open iMovie, then click your project from the list of projects, or you can right-click the file in Finder and select Open With > iMovie .
    • You can also create a new project in iMovie by dragging your video into the timeline at the bottom of your screen.
    • If you're using an iPad or iPhone, the steps to add a title or subtitle are nearly identical, however, a few icons may look a little different.
  2. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/0\/07\/Put-Text-on-iMovie-Step-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Put-Text-on-iMovie-Step-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/0\/07\/Put-Text-on-iMovie-Step-2.jpg\/aid12113116-v4-728px-Put-Text-on-iMovie-Step-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    You'll see this above the movie preview panel next to My Media , Audio , and Transitions .
    • If you're on an iPhone or iPad, the tiles button is at the bottom of the screen and looks like a "T."
    • You'll see a list of premade titles that you can choose from. Hover your mouse over a title to see how it will look.
    Advertisement
  3. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/a\/a8\/Put-Text-on-iMovie-Step-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Put-Text-on-iMovie-Step-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/a\/a8\/Put-Text-on-iMovie-Step-3.jpg\/aid12113116-v4-728px-Put-Text-on-iMovie-Step-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    You'll see the title tile appear as an overlay over your clip.
  4. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/a\/a8\/Put-Text-on-iMovie-Step-4.jpg\/v4-460px-Put-Text-on-iMovie-Step-4.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/a\/a8\/Put-Text-on-iMovie-Step-4.jpg\/aid12113116-v4-728px-Put-Text-on-iMovie-Step-4.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Once you double-click the text box, you'll see the title overlay on the preview so you can type your title.
    • The toolbar above the preview has options for you to change the font, text size and alignment, formatting, and color. When you're satisfied, press Return on your keyboard.
  5. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/d\/d4\/Put-Text-on-iMovie-Step-5.jpg\/v4-460px-Put-Text-on-iMovie-Step-5.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/d\/d4\/Put-Text-on-iMovie-Step-5.jpg\/aid12113116-v4-728px-Put-Text-on-iMovie-Step-5.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Drag the left side of the text overlay box that sits above the timeline to adjust how long the title will appear on-screen.
    • If you want the title to appear between video clips instead of an overlay, drag the title tile between two clips in the timeline.
    6. Advertisement
Method 2
Method 2 of 2:

Adding Subtitles

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/4\/4c\/Put-Text-on-iMovie-Step-6.jpg\/v4-460px-Put-Text-on-iMovie-Step-6.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/4\/4c\/Put-Text-on-iMovie-Step-6.jpg\/aid12113116-v4-728px-Put-Text-on-iMovie-Step-6.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    You can open iMovie, then click your project from the list of projects, or you can right-click the file in Finder and select Open With > iMovie .
    • You can also create a new project in iMovie by dragging your video into the timeline at the bottom of your screen.
    • Since there are no pre-made subtitles, you'll have to make your own. First, pick the "Formal" title, then edit it to appear as a subtitle.
    • If you're using an iPad or iPhone, the steps to add a title or subtitle are nearly identical, however, a few icons may look a little different.
  2. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/5\/5c\/Put-Text-on-iMovie-Step-7.jpg\/v4-460px-Put-Text-on-iMovie-Step-7.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/5\/5c\/Put-Text-on-iMovie-Step-7.jpg\/aid12113116-v4-728px-Put-Text-on-iMovie-Step-7.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    You'll see this above the movie preview panel next to My Media , Audio , and Transitions .
    • If you're on an iPhone or iPad, the tiles button is at the bottom of the screen and looks like a "T."
    • You'll see a list of premade titles that you can choose from. Hover your mouse over a title to see how it will look.
  3. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/0\/08\/Put-Text-on-iMovie-Step-8.jpg\/v4-460px-Put-Text-on-iMovie-Step-8.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/0\/08\/Put-Text-on-iMovie-Step-8.jpg\/aid12113116-v4-728px-Put-Text-on-iMovie-Step-8.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    You'll see a text box appear as an overlay over the clip you dragged the tile to.
  4. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/8\/8a\/Put-Text-on-iMovie-Step-9.jpg\/v4-460px-Put-Text-on-iMovie-Step-9.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/8\/8a\/Put-Text-on-iMovie-Step-9.jpg\/aid12113116-v4-728px-Put-Text-on-iMovie-Step-9.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Once you double-click the text box, you'll see the text overlay on the preview so you can type your subtitle to match the visuals.
    • The bar above the preview has options for you to change the font, text size and alignment, formatting, and color. When you're satisfied, press Return on your keyboard.
  5. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/3\/39\/Put-Text-on-iMovie-Step-10.jpg\/v4-460px-Put-Text-on-iMovie-Step-10.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/3\/39\/Put-Text-on-iMovie-Step-10.jpg\/aid12113116-v4-728px-Put-Text-on-iMovie-Step-10.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Drag the left side of the text overlay box that sits above the timeline to adjust how long the subtitle will appear on-screen.
    • If you need to, add another "Title" to create another line of subtitles. [1]
    6. Advertisement

Expert Q&A

Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Tips

      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

      You Might Also Like

      How to Cut a Clip in iMovie on Mac, iPhone, & iPad
      How to Use iMovie to Create and Edit Video Projects
      How to
      Create Credits in iMovie
      Easily Add Images to iMovie for Mac or iPhone
      How to
      Import Voice Memos Into iMovie
      3 Easy Ways to Add a PowerPoint to iMovie
      How to Export iMovie Project to DVD on a Mac
      How to
      Add Fade in iMovie
      How to
      Add Garageband to iMovie
      How to
      Export an iMovie Video in HD
      How to
      Zoom iMovie
      How to
      Add Transitions in iMovie
      Advertisement

      References

      1. ↑ https://support.apple.com/guide/imovie/add-titles-mov4d3dce7ba/mac

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      1. Open your project in iMovie.
      2. Click Titles .
      3. Drag the title tile to your movie timeline where you want it to appear.
      4. Double-click the text box to edit it.
      5. Adjust the text box above the timeline to change when the title appears.

      Did this summary help you?
      In other languages
      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 25,772 times.

      Is this article up to date?

      Advertisement