How to Add Text to Reels

updated September 1, 2023
Reading time5 minutes
Jaqueline Corradi
Jaqueline Corradi
Content Manager

Learning how to add text to reels is very important to create high-quality content using Instagram. The short videos that are called reels on the platform have become a success, and drive the attention of many people.

When you publish reels you have the opportunity to gain more visibility on Instagram because your content may appear on the reels page of users who don't follow your profile. Putting text on the images can be even more appealing for people to stop scrolling their feeds and watch your content. Check out the article to learn more about it.

The Importance of Adding Text to Reels

You can understand how to add text to reels to make your videos more accessible for Instagram users with hearing impairments. In this case, you are going to include subtitles to the video, which is something that several users enjoy because they can watch the reels in places where it isn't possible to turn on the audio or put earphones in. 

Imagine that someone is at work, but opens Instagram just to quickly take a look at interesting new posts. If your reels catch their attention and it has subtitles, the person will be able to fully experience it without having to enable the audio. 

You can also use the texts in the reels as a strategy to instigate the viewer's curiosity and keep them interested until the end of the video. For example, depending on the type of the reels, you can add the video title, insert written data so your audience will comprehend the topic approached better, and so on.

Therefore, there are multiple possibilities to use texts on reels. You can keep the same text appearing on the screen during the video or add subtitles that will obviously change along with the audio, for example.

How to Add Text to Reels Using Your Smartphone

If you are going to add text, like a phrase or title, which will remain on the screen during the whole Instagram video, it is simpler. What you have to do is:

1 - Open the Instagram app and enter your account;

2 - Click on the plus icon;

3 - Select the option "Reels";

Instagram story page

4 - Record the reel or upload your video;

Reel page

5 - Click "Next";

Reel page

6 - Click on the text icon;

Reel page showing a plane on the clouds.

7 - Type what you want, then choose the font, color, and size of the text.

8 - Click on "Next";

9 - Add a caption and other details like the location;

10 - Click on "share";

New reel page

How to Add Multiple Texts in The Same Reels

If you want to add multiple texts in the Instagram reel, such as subtitles, you need to edit the video part by part to define how long the texts are going to remain on the screen. 

1 - Open the Instagram app and enter your account;

2 - Click on the plus icon;

3 - Select the option "Reels";

4 - Record the reel or upload your video;

5 - Click "Next";

6 - Click on the text icon'

7 - Insert the first text that is going to be shown in the video;

8 - The text you have written will appear on the button on the screen, click on it;

Reel edit page, ir shows a car crossing a bridge on the background. In the botton rof the page, it's the tool to edit the reel.

9 - Adjust the timing when the text must appear;

10 - Click on "+" to add more texts;

Reel edit page, ir shows a car crossing a bridge on the background. In the botton rof the page, it's the tool to edit the reel.

11 - Once you are finished, click on "Done", then "Next";

12 - Add a caption, choose the reel cover, and other details;

13 - Click on "Share reel". 

Share reel page

How to Make the Text Appear Only in A Part of the Reels

When it comes to how to add text to reels that will be seen just in a part of the video, then disappear, the steps are similar to adding multiple texts. 

1 - Open the Instagram app and enter your account;

2 - Click on the plus icon;

3 - Select the option "Reels";

4 - Record the reel or upload your video;

5 - Click "Next";

6 - Click on the text icon'

7 - Insert the first text that is going to be shown in the video;

8 - The text you have written will appear on the button on the screen, click on it;

9 - Adjust the timing when it must appear;

10 -Click on "Done", then "Next";

11 - Add a caption, choose the reel cover, and other details;

12 - Click on "Share reel". 

Expand Your Reach on Instagram with the Reels

Now that you know how to add text to reels, what about using this feature to create high-quality engaging content? Instagram is a powerful marketing asset when you know how to use it properly, which isn't different from the reels. 

Before starting to record, make a script of what you are going to talk about in the reels, and specify the scenes and images that need to be taken. You can edit everything using Instagram or use a third-party video editing software, and upload the video to Instagram when it's done. Consider your target audience's interests and preferences to publish reels that will deliver the expected results to you.

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