How to edit a video in Clipchamp
Applies ToClipchamp for personal accounts Clipchamp for work accounts

Microsoft Clipchamp is a video editing application that is available for personal accounts and for work and school accounts. You can use it on Windows, Mac, Linux, and Chromebook.

Clipchamp for personal accounts can get accessed by going to app.clipchamp.com in an Edge or Chrome browser window. Windows users can also download the official Microsoft Clipchamp app to edit on Windows 11 and Windows 10 devices.

Watch our quick tutorial video for a demonstration of how Clipchamp works or scroll down for step-by-step instructions to help you get started using its editing features.

For the best experience

Before you start using Clipchamp, we recommend you follow these steps to make sure your browser settings are optimal for the best editing experience.

Get familiar with Clipchamp

The interface in Clipchamp is beginner-friendly, helping you quickly locate all the professional editing functions including the:

  • Timeline

  • Toolbar

  • Floating toolbar

  • Property panel

An image of the Clipchamp editor explained with what the elements are called inside the editor.

How to create a new video  

A quick way to start creating a video in Clipchamp is to right-click on a media file in Windows Explorer and click on the edit with Clipchamp button, or click on the create a video option on a media file in the Windows Photos app. This will launch a new video in Clipchamp with the media file already loaded in the media library and on the timeline.

Alternatively, launch Clipchamp through one of our apps or in the browser and on the editor homepage that opens at launch.

To create a new video, click on the create a new video button. You can also create a new video using our AI video editor by clicking on the create a video with AI button. Alternatively, click on the + button to create a new video. 

A screenshot of the Clipchamp for personal accounts home screen.

How to add personal videos to the your media tab

Before you can start editing, you'll need to add video files to your media library.

Import media assets using the following options: 

  • Drag and drop media files from your computer into the your media tab

  • Click on the import media button to import media from your computer files

  • Click on the arrow button to import media using one of our integrations like OneDrive, Google Drive, Dropbox and Xbox.

You can add video files, images, and audio files.

A screenshot of a Clipchamp for personal accounts user importing media.

Your media assets will appear in the media tab on the toolbar.

How to add videos to the timeline

Add your video to the timeline by either clicking on the green + button or dragging and dropping your video onto the timeline. If you want to add multiple assets to the timeline, simply repeat the step or highlight all of your assets to drag and drop onto the timeline. 

A screenshot of a Clipchamp for personal accounts user dragging a video onto the timeline.

How to edit a video in Clipchamp

Here's a list of some of the user-friendly editing tools we currently offer.

For more detailed instructions, screenshots and tips for a particular tool, follow the links that we've listed below.

  • To trim an asset, click it on the timeline (i.e. click on it, so it is highlighted), then click and drag the green bars back and forth. 

A screenshot of a Clipchamp for personal accounts user adjusting the length of a video clip on the timeline.

  • To split an asset in two, click on the clip on the timeline, then move the seeker (the white vertical line with the circle on top) so it is positioned where you want to cut the clip. Next, click the split button on the editing toolbar. 

A screenshot of a Clipchamp for personal accounts user splitting a clip on the timeline.

  • To delete media from the timeline, click on the asset on the timeline, then click the delete button (trash icon) or hit the delete key on your keyboard. 

A screenshot of a Clipchamp for personal accounts user deleting a video clip from the timeline.

  • To zoom in and out of the timeline, use the zoom buttons on the editing toolbar (+ to zoom in, and – to zoom out). Alternatively, use the zoom to fit button (–><–) to fit everything that's on the timeline to the visible area.

A screenshot of a Clipchamp for personal accounts user zooming in and zooming out of the editing timeline.

  • To crop, fill, rotate, flip, or achieve a picture in picture effect, use the options in the floating toolbar. 

A screenshot of a Clipchamp for personal accounts user using the floating toolbar inside the preview window.

A screenshot of a Clipchamp for personal accounts user accessing the property panel.

  • To add stock music to your video, click on the content library tab on the toolbar, then click on the audio category. Here, you can find stock music to add to your video. Drag and drop the asset onto the timeline or click on the + button.

A screenshot of a Clipchamp for personal accounts user adding stock music to the timeline.

  • To change the audio level of your music/audio file, click on your audio in the timeline, then click on the audio tab on the property panel. Drag the volume slider to the left to turn down the volume, and right to make the volume louder.

A screenshot of a Clipchamp for personal accounts user adjusting the audio of stock music added to the timeline.

  • To add a title or text to your video, click on the text tab in the toolbar. Scroll through our text options to find the perfect title for your video. Drag and drop the title onto the timeline above your video asset or click on the + button to add it.

A screenshot of a Clipchamp for personal accounts user adding text to the editing timeline.

  • To add an overlay like stickers, backgrounds, frames, shapes, annotations, and GIFs, click on the content library tab on the toolbar. Next, click on the visuals tab then stickers. Drag and drop a sticker onto the timeline, or click on the + button. 

A screenshot of a Clipchamp for personal accounts user adding a sticker to the timeline.

  • To export your video, click on the export button at the top right corner of the editor. Select a video quality to save your video. Note: Premium subscribers can export videos in 4K video resolution. 

A screenshot of a Clipchamp for personal accounts user exporting their video.

  • For any help, click on the question mark to locate the help and learning options, or the support chat. 

A screenshot of a Clipchamp for personal accounts user clicking on the question mark button.

  • To locate the home menu, click on the horizontal three lines. Here, you can access home, start a new video, suggest a feature, keyboard shortcuts, help, and install the app.

A screenshot of a Clipchamp for personal accounts user navigating back to the home pag.

  • To reopen a video, click on a video on your homepage. The video will automatically open where you left off. Videos you edit are automatically saved while you work, so there is no need to save them before exiting. 

A screenshot of a Clipchamp for personal accounts user accessing a video from the home page.

It is very IMPORTANT to keep your source video, image, and audio files – i.e. the original files you added on your device or enable the content backup feature in that video.

Clipchamp doesn't upload your videos to a server for processing. Instead, it processes them locally on your computer. To achieve this, it is making use of modern technologies that allow it to run a bit like a hybrid between an online and a desktop application.

This unique technology makes Clipchamp fast and private. However, from time to time, you may be asked to relink your files – so, don't delete the originals!

Enabling content backup has several benefits, which include:

  • No danger of losing your files/projects. If the original media files on your computer are lost, edited, or deleted, you'll still be able to access and work with your videos if you have content backup enabled.

  • No relinking. When working with Clipchamp projects where the content backup is turned off, you will sometimes be asked to relink your original media files from your computer. With backed-up media files, you never have to worry about relinking.

  • Access videos you're editing from any computer. Instead of having to manually move your media files and relink them on a new computer, you'll be able to log in to your Clipchamp account on any computer and keep editing straight away.

Start using Clipchamp

Go to Clipchamp online video editor to start working on a new video.

You can use Clipchamp for work and school accounts if it is enabled in your Microsoft 365 organization, as it is the official Microsoft video editor. For more information, see this FAQ. Scroll down for step-by-step instructions to help you get started using its editing features.

Not all features found in Clipchamp for personal accounts are yet launched for those accessing Clipchamp with a work or school account, however we're continuously working on updates.

For the best experience

Before you start using Clipchamp, we recommend you follow these steps to make sure your browser settings are optimal for the best editing experience. 

Get familiar with Clipchamp

The interface in Clipchamp is beginner-friendly, helping you quickly locate all the professional editing functions including the:

  • Timeline

  • Toolbar

  • Floating toolbar

  • Property panel

An image of the Clipchamp commercial app.

Getting started

As a prerequisite, your Microsoft 365 administrator needs to have enabled Clipchamp in your organization or educational institution. When that is the case, Clipchamp can get accessed via several entry points*.

Some are available now; others will get added over time.

*Make sure you're logged in with your Microsoft work or school account.​​​​​​​*

In OneDrive and SharePoint, you can also use Clipchamp with an existing video by navigating to the asset in the my files tab, right-clicking on it, then selecting open then edit in Clipchamp.

Another possibility is to open a video file in Stream, then clicking on the Clipchampmenu item at the top. This will launch a new editing project with the media file getting loaded into the media library and onto the timeline of the project. You need to have the appropriate access rights for the video in Stream to see the Clipchamp option.

How to add videos to the my media library

Before you can start editing your videos, you'll need to add the video files to your media library. You can import video assets, images, and audio files

Available options are:

  • Import media assets by clicking on the my media tab, then clicking on the import media button.

  • Drag and drop media assets from your device into the box.

  • Record directly in-browser using the record & create tab.

  • Click on the arrow button to import media using one of the available integrations like OneDrive.

  • Choose media assets from the royalty-free content library.

A screenshot of a Clipchamp for work accounts user importing media.

How to add videos to the timeline

To edit your video, drag and drop media onto the timeline. 

A screenshot of a Clipchamp for work accounts user dragging a video clip onto the timeline.

Your timeline should look like this.

A screenshot of a Clipchamp for work accounts user with two video clips dragged onto the editng timeline.

If you want to add multiple assets to the timeline, simply repeat the above step. Drag and drop media assets like video, images, audio, and graphics onto the timeline.

How to edit a video in Clipchamp

Here's a list of some of the user-friendly editing tools we offer. For more detailed instructions, screenshots and tips for a particular tool, follow the links that we've listed below.

  • To trim an asset, click on the asset so it's highlighted, then drag the sidebars back and forth.

A screenshot of a Clipchamp for work accounts user changing the length of a video clip on the timeline.

  • To split an asset in two or more sections, click on the asset so it's highlighted, move the seeker (the white vertical line with the circle on top) so it’s positioned where you want to cut the clip, then click on the split button.

A screenshot of a Clipchamp for work accounts user splitting a clip on the timeline.

  • To delete media from your timeline, click on the asset so it's highlighted, then click on the delete key on your device keyboard.

A screenshot of a Clipchamp for work accounts user deleting a video clip from the timeline.

A screenshot of a Clipchamp for work accounts user zooming in and out on the timeline.

  • To crop, fit, and access more editing tools, use the floating toolbar. Click on your asset on the timeline, then click on an option within the floating toolbar. The three dots button will show rotate, flip, and picture-in-picture options.

A screenshot of a Clipchamp for work accounts user clicking on the floating toolbar in the preview window.

  • To add fades, filters, effects, adjust colors, speed, and volume, use the property panel. 

A screenshot of a Clipchamp for work accounts user clicking on the effects tab in the property panel.

  • To add text to your video, click on the text tab on the toolbar, then drag and drop a text asset onto the timeline above your video. Use the text tab on the property panel to edit and customize your text. 

  • To add stock videos, click on the stock video tab on the toolbar. Drag and drop a stock video onto the timeline. 

A screenshot of a Clipchamp for work accounts user dragging and dropping stock video onto the tineline

  • To add stock images, click on the stock image tab on the toolbar. Drag and drop a stock image onto the timeline.

A screenshot of a Clipchamp for work accounts user dragging and dropping a stock image onto the timeline.

  • To export a video, click on the export button then choose a video resolution. Select from 480p, 720p, 1080p, and 4K. 

A screenshot of a Clipchamp for work accounts user exporting a video.

  • To reopen a video, select your project on the homepage. The video will automatically open where you left off. Videos you edit are automatically saved while you work, so there is no need to save them before exiting.

  • Note that it is IMPORTANT to keep your source video, image, and audio files – i.e. the original files you added. Clipchamp doesn't upload your videos to a server for processing. Instead, it processes them locally on your computer. To achieve this, it is making use of modern technologies that allow it to run a bit like a hybrid between an online and a desktop application. This unique technology makes Clipchamp fast and private. However, you’ll need to make sure the files aren’t removed from the assets folder of the project in your OneDrive or SharePoint. Otherwise, you may be asked to relink your files – so, don't delete the originals.

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