How to Edit an SRT File

By Andrew Meer

Updated February 10, 2017

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An SRT (SubRip Format) file is one of the various types of file formats that contain subtitles for movies and videos. If you feel like adding some of your own words to the subtitles displayed onscreen, you can edit an SRT file using either the “Notepad” or “WordPad” programs found in Windows. Create a backup of the SRT file before you start to edit, however, so you can restore the original if you decide you don't like your edits.

Open the SRT file using either “Notepad” or “WordPad.” You can usually find an SRT file within a folder containing a movie or a video. Right click the SRT file and click “Open” on the pop-up menu. Click the radio button next to “Select a program” and click “Open.” Select “Notepad” or “WordPad” and click “OK.”

Edit the time a subtitle phrase is displayed or the phrase itself by highlighting the time or phrase using your mouse and typing the changes. Each subtitle phrase should be separated by other phrases in numbered sections. Each section contains a phrase along with the time it displays onscreen.

Click “File,” then click “Save” to preserve your edits.

Tips

Create a backup of the SRT file before editing. Right click the file and select “Copy.” Find a location on your hard drive in which you want to save the backup file. Right click over an empty space in that location and select “Paste” from the pop-up menu to create a backup. Avoid creating the backup to the same folder as the original SRT file, because doing so will overwrite the existing file.

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