> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://www.tella.com/docs/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Can I add text, titles, or emoji overlays to my video?

> How to add text overlays, titles, headings, captions, or images on top of your video in Tella. There's no tool to type text directly on the canvas, but you can add an image overlay or a title card. Add a heading, label, or callout to a Tella video.

There's no tool in Tella for **typing text directly onto the canvas** — you can't click on the video and start a title, heading, or emoji caption the way you would in a tool like Canva. Typed-on-canvas text is a popular request and it's on our radar.

That said, there are a couple of real ways to get text and other graphics on top of your video today.

## Show a title card or graphic with Media (B-roll)

The reliable, generally available route is **Media (B-roll)**. Create your text as an image in any design tool (or [generate one with AI](/docs/help/editing/use-media#generate-media-with-ai)) — a title card, a heading, a quote, an intro slide, or a transparent PNG callout — then show it in a layout section. Your camera can stay on screen in a bubble while the graphic plays. See [Add media (B-roll)](/docs/help/editing/use-media).

This works for both full-frame title screens and for graphics layered over your recording, and it's available to everyone.

## Add an image on top of your video (Overlay effect)

<Note>
  The Overlay effect isn't enabled for every workspace yet. If you don't see an **Effect** tab with **Overlays**, use the **Media (B-roll)** route above — it does the same job and is available to everyone.
</Note>

If you do see it, the **image overlay** effect lets you place an image (or a short video clip) on top of your recording for a stretch of the timeline, then move and resize it on the canvas.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open the Effect panel">
    Open your video in the editor and open the **Effect** tab in the sidebar.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Add an overlay">
    Under **Overlays**, click **Add overlay** and pick (or upload) the image you want. The overlay is added at the playhead with its own duration on the timeline.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Position and time it">
    Drag the overlay to move it, drag a corner to resize it, and drag its handles on the timeline to control when it appears and how long it stays on screen.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Note>
  The overlay effect places an **image or video**, not editable text. To show words, make the text into an image first (a title card, a transparent PNG with your heading, etc.) and add that as the overlay.
</Note>

<Tip>
  For a TikTok/Reels-style fixed heading, make a transparent or solid title card sized to your canvas, add it as media (or as an overlay), and stretch the section across the clip.
</Tip>

## Other text on your video

* **Subtitles** — automatic captions, fully editable, rendered on the video. See [Edit the transcript](/docs/help/editing/edit-the-transcript-of-a-tella-video) and [Find & replace subtitles](/docs/help/editing/find-replace-subtitles).
* **Chapters** — label sections of your video so viewers can navigate. See [Chapters](/docs/help/editing/chapters).
* **Your logo** — add a persistent logo to your videos with [custom branding](/docs/help/editing/add-your-logo-to-videos).

If a true type-on-canvas text tool would make a difference for you, tell us via the in-app support chat — feature requests are tracked and genuinely influence the roadmap.