This article explains how to create a time-coded transcript by aligning an existing text file with audio or video in Limecraft. It outlines the concept of transcript alignment, when to use it, and the key considerations related to ASR pipeline support. The guide then walks through the practical steps and requirements for preparing a transcript and successfully aligning it within the Limecraft Transcriber.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

What is Text Alignment?

Aligning transcripts is the process of synchronising an existing, non-timed text transcript with audio or video, so that each sentence or segment is accurately linked to the moment it is spoken. 


Instead of generating a transcript from scratch using speech recognition, alignment takes a pre-written text file and automatically matches it against the media, producing a fully time-coded transcript. This approach is particularly useful when a reliable script, interview transcript, or dialogue list already exists.


In Limecraft, transcript alignment allows users to turn plain text into a precise, time-based transcription that can be used for editing, quoting, subtitling, and review workflows. By analysing the audio signal and matching it to the written text, the system creates timestamps without altering the wording of the original transcript. This makes alignment ideal for production, post-production, and accessibility workflows where textual accuracy is critical and timing is required for downstream use.


IMPORTANT NOTE: Limecraft uses a range of Automatic Speech Recognition (ASR) pipelines and selects the most appropriate engine based on the specific use case, such as language, content type, accuracy requirements, and downstream workflows. 

Not all these support transcript alignment, as this requires additional capabilities beyond standard speech-to-text processing. If alignment is essential for your workflow or if you are unsure which ASR engine is being used, please contact Limecraft Support for guidance on available options and best practices.


1. How to Access the Transcription Application

Aligning an existing text is an option in the Transcription Application. To access the Transcription Application, among other options, the easiest way is to use the "Go to transcript" action on a clip thumbnail and click it.

Screenshot detail of how to access the transcription application by hovering over the thumbnail of an item and selecting the QUOTES


2. Aligning an existing transcript

Upon accessing the transcription app for a clip which has not been transcribed, you’ll see a window similar to this, with the second option referring to the alignment of an existing transcript.

Limecraft screenshot of the transcription application, illustrating the ability to use an existing text to align

2.1 How to prepare your transcript?

To ensure successfully aligning your transcript with the video, please pay attention to the following Do's and Don't's.


Do:

  • The text file must be plain text (*.txt)
  • Use UTF-8 encoding
  • Only spoken text (no time codes)
  • If using speaker names, they must be specifically formatted (see below)


Don’t:

  • Use different languages (the whole text must be in one language)
  • Include sound descriptions, such as “loud crash”, “struggling”
  • Include speaker labels.
  • Include timecodes
  • Include markup (colors, tables, etc).


2.2 Including Optional Speaker Labels

With the following markup language, you can include speaker segmentation in your transcription results. 


SPEAKER: speaker name

Transcript paragraph


SPEAKER: speaker name

Transcript paragraph



An example


SPEAKER: ILSA

But what about us?


SPEAKER: RICK

We'll always have Paris. We didn't have, we, we lost it until you came to Casablanca. We got it back last night.


SPEAKER: ILSA

When I said I would never leave you.


SPEAKER: RICK

And you never will. But I've got a job to do, too. Where I'm going, you can't follow. What I've got to do, you can't be any part of. Ilsa, I'm no good at being noble, but it doesn't take much to see that the problems of three little people don't amount to a hill of beans in this crazy world. Someday you'll understand that. 


Use Cases

Upon successful alignment of the text, the now timed transcript can be used for creating sync pulls or subtitles, or exporting to edit. More info about the use cases for transcripts in this article.


Download Transcriber Cheat Sheet

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