How to Edit Video Files in Google Vids: Step-by-Step Tutorial with Images

(Google video editor image)

Google has launched a free browser-based video editor, often referred to as Google Vids, that allows anyone to create, edit, and export videos directly from a web browser , no software installation required.

Based on my experience with google vid, I have found it to be a more compelling editing platform compared to other video editing platforms. It has beginner friendly with drag and drop interface and guided tools. In this guide, I will walk you through on how to get started with this tool.

Step 1: Navigating to Google’s Video Editing.

 1.Open your chrome web browser.

 2.On the search panel, search for “google’s vid.”

 3.Click on the first link that will display or sometimes it might not show as the first link, so to make sure you click on the right link search for https://workspace.google.com/products/vids/ and it will redirect you straight to the platform.

 4.On the top right you will see the sign in button, click on it and use your email address to sign in after which you will be redirected to the platform.

5.On the platform you will see displayed templates to choose from if you don't want to edit your files from scratch but if you prefer to start from scratch click on the blank icon.

Step 2: How to upload files for editing.

1.First you will have to upload your files from your computer to your google drive. To do so, open another search page, navigate to the top right of your chrome browser you will see googles app grid upon clicking, it will redirect you to the apps. Scroll down until you find the drive icon, click on it. Upload all the files you will need to edit to google drive by clicking the plus + icon labeled ‘new’ on the top left of your drive panel then head back to google vid platform page.

2. On the right panel inside google vid, you will see several icons displayed,click on uploads to insert your file to the canvas.

3. You will see two options, google drive and google photos. Choose google drive since we uploaded our files there. Drag and drop the file you need to start with, to the timeline or just double click the file and it will open in the timeline.

Step 3: How to basically edit your video files

Trimming your videos

 . After inserting your video to the timeline, depending on the video duration, you may want to reduce the duration or increase based on your specification. To trim the videos drag either edges to adjust its starts and end points.

Adding transition

 .After trimming or uploading various scenes on the timeline, you can add transitions to your videos to make them more attractive, by clicking in between the clips and the transition menu will pop up.

 .Choose effects that you might find aligning with your video files and apply to your video.

Adding text, audio, title and shapes.

  1. Navigate to the right side panel and click on the text icon, if you want to add a text style like a heading or a description to your design to make it look professionally appealing.

  2. If you want to add audio to your design, hover over onto the top right panel and click on the record icon. Select camera & screen only if you want to display both your screen and yourself. If you want to share the screen only then go for the screen option.

  3. For shape click on the shape icon on the button of the right panel of the screen and add a shape or design your file in a more unique way.

  4.To add a title, navigate to the top left and click on the "Untitled video” bar and add a title that matches your video file.

Step 4: Saving and Sharing

To save your file after editing your video, navigate on the top left and click on files, then choose whether to download as an mp4 file format or choose to export to Drive for safety and misplacement issues or for easy access in case you will need to re- edit later.

You can also choose to share directly if you are working on the project as a group, which facilitates team work.