Your videos uploaded to Google Drive are now getting auto-generated captions. As its name suggests, the feature automatically creates a transcription of the audio in your videos. You’ll be able to download the transcriptions and use them to improve Drive’s file search system.
As reported by 9to5Google, the feature is rolling out right now. However, it will only work automatically on new videos uploaded after receiving it. That is, it does not work retroactively on your older videos. In those cases, you’ll have to manually request captions for each file individually.
Google Drive auto captions work on new videos; older files require manual requests
To manually request captions for an older video on Google Drive, just right-click on the file > click “Manage caption tracks” > click “Generate automatic captions.” You can also find the “Generate automatic captions” option while a video is playing from the three-dot menu at the top right of the player.
It’s noteworthy that the process doesn’t seem to be particularly fast. Android Police tested the feature in a 6-minute video, taking around 10 minutes to complete the transcription. Of course, it will take more or less time depending on the length of the video. However, Google will likely optimize the auto-generated captions in the future to make them faster and more efficient.
The new auto captions for videos in Google Drive are useful for productivity, but they also improve the search system. You can now find captioned videos in the search box by typing a phrase or word said in the video. That means you don’t need to remember the name of the files you are looking for, which is great news for those who tend to save them with generic default names.
Users can download the generated captions in a .vtt file for whatever they need. They can even edit sections of the transcription to fix potential mistakes. Just like on YouTube, captions will always be available from the CC button in the video player.
