The fastest way to add text to your video

Open your project in DaVinci Resolve and click the Edit tab at the top. Move your playhead to the frame where you want text to appear. Right-click on the timeline and select Add Track > Subtitle Track, or click the Fusion tab and drag a text element onto your timeline — both work, but the Subtitle Track is simpler for basic titles and captions.

Once your text track is in place, double-click the text box on the timeline to open the text editor. Type your words, then use the Inspector panel on the right to change the font, size, and color. The text appears on your video when ready. Drag the edges of the text box in the timeline to control how long it stays on screen.

If you want more control over positioning and effects, use the Fusion tab instead. Drag a Text+ node from the toolbar onto your timeline, and you can animate the text, add shadows, and place it anywhere on the frame. For most projects, though, the Subtitle Track method is faster and requires fewer clicks.

Key Takeaways

  • The Subtitle Track method is the quickest route for basic titles: right-click the timeline, select Add Track > Subtitle Track, then double-click to type.
  • Text appears on screen when ready after you type it, and you control duration by dragging the box edges in the timeline.
  • The Inspector panel on the right lets you change font, size, color, and alignment without leaving the Edit tab.
  • The Fusion tab offers more advanced options like animation and drop shadows, but takes longer to set up.
  • You can add multiple text boxes to the same track or create separate tracks for different captions or titles.

Adding text using the Subtitle Track method

The Subtitle Track is built for text and captions, so it requires fewer steps than other methods. In the Edit tab, right-click in the empty space below your video and audio tracks. A menu appears. Click Add Track, then select Subtitle Track from the submenu. A new track labeled "Subtitle 1" appears below your other tracks.

Move your playhead to the exact frame where you want the text to start. Click the + button on the Subtitle Track, or right-click the track and select Add Subtitle. A text box appears on your timeline at that position. Double-click the box to open the text editor window. Type your text, then click outside the editor or press Enter to confirm. Your text now appears on the video at that frame.

To adjust how long the text stays visible, click and drag the right edge of the text box in the timeline. Drag it left to make the text disappear sooner, or right to keep it on screen longer. You can also drag the left edge to shift when the text first appears. The text box shows a preview of your text inside it, so you can see the timing without playing the video.

Formatting text in the Inspector panel

After you add text, the Inspector panel on the right side of the screen shows formatting options. If the Inspector is not visible, click Window at the top and select Inspector. You will see sections for text properties, alignment, and effects.

Click the Text section to expand it. Here you can change the font by clicking the font name dropdown — DaVinci Resolve includes common fonts like Arial, Helvetica, and Georgia. Below that, adjust the Font Size slider or type a number directly. The size updates on your video in real time. Use the Color box to click and pick a new text color, or drag the opacity slider to make text semi-transparent.

The Alignment section lets you center, left-align, or right-align your text. Click the alignment buttons to change how the text sits within its box. If you want to move the text box itself on the screen, click the Position section and drag the X and Y sliders, or click directly on the text in the video preview and drag it to a new spot.

Using the Fusion tab for advanced text effects

The Fusion tab gives you animation, shadows, and precise control over text appearance. Click the Fusion tab at the top of DaVinci Resolve. Your timeline appears at the bottom, and a node editor fills the main area. On the left side, you will see a toolbar with different node types.

Scroll down in the toolbar until you find the Text+ node. Drag it into the node editor area. A text node appears with input and output ports. Double-click the node to open the text editor and type your words. The text appears on your video preview when ready. In the Inspector on the right, you can now adjust font, size, color, and add effects like drop shadows, outlines, and blur.

To animate text — make it fade in, slide across the screen, or grow larger — click the Keyframe button next to any property in the Inspector. Move your playhead forward in the timeline, change the property value, and DaVinci Resolve automatically creates a smooth transition between the two values. This method takes longer to learn but produces professional-looking results for title sequences and emphasis text.

Positioning text on your screen

By default, text appears in the center of your video. To move it, use the position controls in the Inspector panel. In the Edit tab with a Subtitle Track, click the text box on your timeline to select it, then look for Position in the Inspector. Drag the X slider left or right to move text horizontally, and the Y slider up or down to move it vertically. The video preview updates as you drag.

Alternatively, click directly on the text in the video preview and drag it to a new location with your mouse. This is often faster than using sliders. The text box outline shows you the boundaries of the text area. If your text is too close to the edge and gets cut off, drag it inward or increase the text box size by dragging its corners.

For multiple text boxes on the same track, each one has its own position. Add a new text box by clicking the + button on the Subtitle Track again, and position it independently. This is useful for lower-thirds (names and titles at the bottom), credits that scroll up the screen, or captions that move to different parts of the frame.

Controlling text duration and timing

Text duration is controlled by the length of the box in the timeline. When you first add text, it defaults to a short duration — usually a few seconds. To extend it, click and drag the right edge of the text box to the right. To shorten it, drag the right edge to the left. The playhead shows you the current frame, so you can see exactly when the text will disappear.

If you want text to appear at a specific frame and disappear at another, use the left and right edges of the box. Drag the left edge to set the in-point (when text first appears) and the right edge to set the out-point (when text disappears). You can also right-click the text box and select Trim to adjust timing more precisely if you know the exact frame numbers.

For fade-in and fade-out effects, use the Inspector panel. Select the text box, then look for Opacity in the Inspector. Click the keyframe button next to Opacity, move your playhead forward, and change the opacity value. DaVinci Resolve creates a smooth fade between the two values. This is more polished than text that suddenly appears or disappears.

Common text problems and how to fix them

If your text does not appear on the video, check that the Subtitle Track is visible. Look for an eye icon next to the track name — if it is crossed out, click it to show the track. Also verify that your playhead is within the time range of the text box. If the playhead is before the text starts or after it ends, you will not see it on screen.

Text that looks blurry or pixelated usually means the font size is too small or the resolution is too low. Increase the font size in the Inspector, or if you are working with a low-resolution project, switch to the Fusion tab where you have more control over text rendering. Text that is hard to read against your video background can be fixed by adding a drop shadow or outline. In the Inspector, look for Shadow or Outline options and enable them.

If text is cut off at the edges of the frame, move it inward using the Position controls or by dragging it in the preview. Make sure your text box is large enough to contain all your words — if text wraps to multiple lines unexpectedly, widen the text box by dragging its right edge in the preview, or reduce the font size.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I add text to multiple clips at once?

No, each text box is tied to a specific location on the timeline. To add the same text to multiple clips, add one text box, copy it (right-click and select Copy), then paste it at other locations on the timeline. You will need to adjust the timing for each copy so it aligns with the correct clip.

How do I make text fade in and out?

Use the Opacity property in the Inspector. Select your text box, click the keyframe button next to Opacity, move your playhead forward, and lower the opacity value. DaVinci Resolve creates a smooth fade. Repeat at the end of the text duration to fade out.

What fonts are available in DaVinci Resolve?

DaVinci Resolve uses the fonts installed on your computer. Common fonts like Arial, Helvetica, and Georgia are included by default. You can install additional fonts through your operating system, and they will appear in the font dropdown in the Inspector.

Can I add subtitles or captions for dialogue?

Yes, the Subtitle Track is designed for this. Add one text box per line of dialogue, time each box to match when the character speaks, and format them consistently. For longer projects, consider using DaVinci Resolve's subtitle import feature to load captions from an SRT file instead of typing them manually.

How do I make text move across the screen?

Use the Fusion tab and keyframes. Add a Text+ node, then click the keyframe button next to Position in the Inspector. Move your playhead forward, change the position values, and DaVinci Resolve animates the movement. This requires more setup than static text but produces professional results.