July 9, 2024
A Guide to Importing and Exporting Closed Captions in Adobe Captivate
Comments
(1)
July 9, 2024
A Guide to Importing and Exporting Closed Captions in Adobe Captivate
(1)

Accessibility is one of the most important features in today’s digital learning environment. Closed captions are one such feature that enhances the accessibility of eLearning content and improves comprehension for all learners. The all-new Adobe Captivate provides robust tools for adding, importing, and exporting closed captions. This blog will guide you through the process of working with closed captions in Adobe Captivate.

Understanding Closed Captions

Definition: Closed captions are on-screen text descriptions of the audio in a video or presentation.

Purpose: Closed captions are crucial in eLearning because they:

  • Make eLearning accessible to hearing impaired learners.
  • Aid in comprehension for non-native speakers.

Supported Formats: Adobe Captivate supports multiple closed caption formats, making it flexible and compatible with various platforms.

  • SRT (SubRip Subtitle): A widely used format that is compatible with most video players and platforms.
  • VTT (Video Text Tracks): A format designed for use with HTML5 videos and web applications.

 

Adding Closed Captions in Adobe Captivate

 

Manual Entry

 

You can manually add closed captions directly in Adobe Captivate by typing them into the software’s built-in captioning tool. You can also change the appearance of the caption and apply the change to the slide or all slides.

  1. Select Audio in the right toolbar.
  2. Click Add captions in the Closed Captions

  1. Enter a caption in the placeholder.

  1. Drag the playhead on the timeline to the point where you want to add the next caption.
  2. Click the +icon to add another caption.

  1. To change the visual appeal of the captions added, use Visual Properties inspector to adjust the setting as per your choice.

Importing Captions

If you have pre-written captions, you can import them into Adobe Captivate. There are two methods of importing captions.

Method 1: Using Import captions in the Closed Captions section.

  1. Select Audio in the right toolbar.
  2. Select Import captions.
  3. Select the captions file (srt, vtt, txt, or text) from the system.
  4. View the captions in the Closed Captions

 Note: If an SRT or VTT file contains a font type incompatible with Captivate, the caption text will automatically switch to Arial as the default font.

Method 2: Using Import option from the Files menu.

  1. Select File > Import > Project content and closed captions.
  2. Select the DOC file containing captions you want to import.
  3. Click Open.

Troubleshooting Closed Captions

 Sometimes, you may encounter errors while importing closed captions. The table below lists the errors and steps to mitigate them.

Error

Steps to mitigate

Failed to import the captions: The duration of the subtitles must not exceed the duration of the audio. Ensure the length of the audio is more than the caption duration. Open the captions file, check the end timing, and ensure it is less than or equal to the audio duration.
Import Failed: Subtitles have conflicting time ranges. Adjust the timing to avoid overlapping with other captions. Captions have conflicting time ranges. Check and adjust the timing of each caption in the file. Ensure the start and end times of each caption do not overlap. You can fix the timing in the file and re-import.
Import Failed: Subtitle format is incorrect. Check the file and ensure the format or syntax is correct and adheres to respective SRT or VTT formats.
Import Failed: Subtitle file cannot be empty. SRT or VTT file must contain caption texts and their timing information.
Import Failed: The end time of a subtitle cannot be less than or equal to its start time. Ensure the end time is greater than the start time and re-try. The end time of any particular caption should not be less than its start time.

Exporting Closed Captions from Adobe Captivate

 

Exporting to SRT or VTT

Adobe Captivate allows you to export closed captions in SRT or VTT formats, enabling you to use them on various platforms. There are two ways to export the captions.

 

Method 1: Using Export from the Closed Captions section.

  1. Select Audio in the right toolbar.
  2. Click Edit in the Closed Captions

  1. Click Export from the caption editor panel.

  1. Choose any one option from SRT or VTT while exporting.
  2. Choose the location on your computer to save the exported captions.

 

 

 Method 2: Using Export option from the Files menu.

  1. Select File > Export > Project content and closed captions.
  2. Select a location on your computer.

 

Using Captions on Other Platforms

Once exported, your SRT or VTT files can be used on different platforms to enhance accessibility.

  • Video Players: Upload your SRT or VTT files to video players like VLC or QuickTime.
  • eLearning Platforms: Integrate captions into eLearning platforms like Moodle or Blackboard.
  • Web Applications: Use VTT files for HTML5 videos on websites and web applications.

 

Conclusion

Adding closed captions to your eLearning content in Adobe Captivate not only broadens your audience but also ensures compliance with accessibility standards. Whether you are manually entering captions, importing them, or exporting them for use on other platforms, Adobe Captivate provides the tools you need to make your content accessible and inclusive. By understanding and utilizing these features, you can create a more engaging and effective learning experience for all users.

1 Comment
2024-07-24 19:30:08
2024-07-24 19:30:08

Is there a way to add closed captions to a text box within a block? I can add closed captions if I add an audio clip to the entire slide. However, I added audio to just one text box on the slide, but do not see where you would add closed captions for that. Any help is appreciated.

Like
()
Add Comment