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

# Text and titles

> Add plain text, design presets, and fonts in the layZ AI Video Editor Text panel. Style titles, hooks, and overlays for Shorts.

The **Text** panel adds titles, hooks, and overlays that are separate from auto-generated captions.

## Add text

* **Add plain text** at the playhead
* Browse **Designs** (styled presets) or **Fonts**
* Search within the active tab
* Click or drag a design onto the timeline

## Style text in Properties

When a text layer is selected you can edit:

* Content, font, size, color
* Stroke, shadow, spacing, alignment
* **Saved styles**
* **Background box**
* Transform (position, scale, rotation, opacity)
* **Animation presets** and **Animation code** (Edit JSON)

Select multiple text layers to use **Bulk text** shared styling.

## Text vs Captions

| Panel | Best for |
| - | - |
| Text | Hooks, titles, lower thirds, stickers-with-words |
| Captions | Speech transcription, phrase timing, SRT/VTT |

See [Captions](https://docs.layz.ai/video-editor/captions.md).

## Tips for Shorts

* Keep hooks to a few words
* High contrast fill + outline for phone screens
* Animate entrances sparingly so they do not fight the footage

## FAQ

> [accordion] Can I animate text with JSON?
>
> Yes. Use **Animation code → Edit JSON** on the text layer, or add motion graphics from the Graphics panel.


## Related topics

- [Properties and transform](https://docs.layz.ai/video-editor/properties-and-transform.md)
- [Captions](https://docs.layz.ai/video-editor/captions.md)
- [How to make a commentary video](https://docs.layz.ai/guides/make-a-commentary-video.md)
- [Generic Commentary workflow](https://docs.layz.ai/workflows/generic-commentary.md)
- [Editor features via MCP](https://docs.layz.ai/mcp/editor-features.md)


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