How to Automatically Translate Captions in Premiere Pro

Guide

Introduction

To reach a broader global audience, multilingual captions are essential. But creating captions, translating them, and applying them back into a video can be a complex and time-consuming process that usually requires multiple collaborators.
With Cutback, you can translate captions into 29 languages with a single click and easily edit them using a dedicated interface. Plus, you can apply animated captions to both the original and translated text effortlessly.

This page covers the following:
✅ Automatically translate captions and edit them easily ✔️
✅ Apply translated captions to your video ✏️
✅ Frequently asked questions 💬

Translate Captions Automatically and Edit Easily

Step 1. Open a new project in Premiere Pro and prepare your audio and video files in the sequence.

Step 2. From the top menu, go to [Window] > [Extension] > [Cutback] to launch Cutback.

Step 3. Select the [Edit Captions] menu and generate the transcription.

Want to learn how to auto-generate captions? Check out the guide for Generate Captions.

Step 4. Translate Captions

Cutback's translation button in the bottom-right corner of the panel to translate subtitles in premiere pro

After reviewing the original transcription, click the [Translation] button in the lower-right of the Cutback panel. Select your target language—Cutback supports AI-powered translation in 29 languages.

Step 5. Review the Translation

If needed, click any line to manually edit the translated text.

⚠️ Note: AI translations may not be perfect. Be sure to review and adjust the captions before applying them.

Apply Translated Captions to Your Video

  1. To apply translated captions to your video:

    1. Click [Apply to sequence]

    2. Choose [Premiere Pro captions] and [Split track for translation]

      Pop up window after clicking on Apply to sequence button to add translated captions - selecting word by word captions in premiere pro
    3. In the Premiere Pro timeline, activate the translated caption track

      Premiere Pro only allows one caption track to be active at a time. Make sure to deactivate the original track if needed.

  2. To apply both original and translated captions as animated captions:

    1. Click [Apply to sequence]

    2. Choose [Animated Captions]

      Pop up window after clicking on Apply to sequence button to add translated captions - selecting animated captions in adobe premiere pro
    3. Choose caption style to apply

      • For more details, check out this guide for Animated Captions

    4. Select [Include] in [Translation]

      Setting animated caption with translation for creative subtitles in premiere pro
    5. Animated captions shows original and translated captions together

      Example of how premiere pro subtitles plugin Cutback looks after application