How to Add Captions, Descriptions, and Timestamps to Google Drive and Dropbox Files

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You can add your own captions and timestamps to files stored in Google Drive or Dropbox by creating a TXT file with the correct filename and folder structure.

Repurpose uses the text in these files to set captions for supported content types and to create video clips automatically when timestamps are included in Clips workflows.

This feature supports videos, individual images, and image carousels. The filename and location of the TXT file depend on the type of content you're publishing.

1. How to Create a TXT File

Create a plain text file (.txt) containing your caption and/or timestamps. Follow the instructions below for your content type.

Videos

Create a TXT file with the same name as the original video and place it in the same folder.

Example:

my-video.mp4
my-video.txt

Inside the TXT file, write your video description. You can also include timestamps to identify specific sections of the video.

Important: Timestamps create clips automatically only in Clips workflows. In regular workflows, timestamps included in a TXT file will not trigger automatic clip creation.

Single Images

You can specify a custom caption for an individual image by creating a TXT file with the same name as the image.

Place both files in the same folder.

Example:

how-to-market.png
how-to-market.txt

The text inside the TXT file will be used as the image caption.

Image Carousels

You can specify a custom caption for an image carousel by creating a TXT file inside the folder containing the carousel images.

The TXT filename must match the carousel folder name exactly.

Example folder structure:

3-steps-to-success/
├── 3-steps-to-success.txt
├── image-1.png
├── image-2.png
└── image-3.png

In this example, the text inside 3-steps-to-success.txt will be used as the carousel caption.

Important: If Repurpose cannot find a correctly named TXT file, the folder name will be used as the caption instead.

2. How Captions Work With Auto Publish

TXT captions are supported for individual images and image carousels published through Auto Publish. Once the content syncs in the workflow and the TXT file is detected, Repurpose uses the imported caption when publishing the content automatically. If a matching TXT file isn’t detected, the file name will be used as the caption by default.

Two workflow settings can affect the final caption:

AI auto-rewrite: If enabled, Repurpose may rewrite the caption before publishing. Disable this setting if you want to preserve the exact text from your TXT file.
Custom text: If configured, additional text, CTA, or links may be added to the caption. Remove these settings if you want to publish only the text from your TXT file.

To ensure your custom caption is imported correctly, place the TXT file in the correct location preferably at the same time as the media file, or before the next workflow sync.

If the media file is imported into the workflow before the TXT file exists, the caption won’t sync correctly. In that case, you’ll need to run a Full Sync manually from the workflow settings.

3. What If I Add a TXT File After Creating My Workflow or After the Media File Has Already Been Recognized?

If you add a TXT file after creating your workflow, you may need to run a Full Sync from the workflow settings so Repurpose can detect the file and import the caption.

Before syncing, make sure the TXT file follows the correct naming and folder structure described above.

4. Can I Use TXT Files Alongside SRT Files?

Yes. You can use a TXT file alongside an existing SRT subtitle file.

The TXT file can provide the video description and timestamps, while the SRT file provides subtitles.

Remember that timestamps create clips automatically only in Clips workflows. Adding timestamps to a TXT file in a regular workflow will not create clips.

5. Quick Reference

Content type	TXT filename	TXT file location	Result
Video	Same name as the video	Same folder as the video	Sets the description. Timestamps create clips automatically only in Clips workflows.
Single image	Same name as the image	Same folder as the image	Sets the image caption.
Image carousel	Same name as the carousel folder	Inside the carousel folder	Sets the carousel caption.

6. Recommended Setup

For the best results:

Create a TXT file for each video, individual image, or image carousel.
Match the TXT filename to the video's or image's filename, or to the carousel folder name, as applicable.
Place the TXT file in the correct location at the same time as the media file, or before the next workflow sync.

Following these steps helps ensure Repurpose imports the correct captions before publishing your content.

Got questions? We’ve got you covered! Email our Support Team at support@repurpose.io or chat with us live on our website. We’re here to help.

Updated on: 13/10/2026

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