Google Vids Brings Free Video Editing to Google Drive
Google's online productivity suite includes an accessible web-based video editing application called Google Vids, giving users a free tool for personal and hobbyist projects.
Radwan AbdulhadiEditor and technology writer
Expanding Beyond Traditional Office Apps
When users think about the online applications available through Google Workspace, office tools like Google Docs and Gmail usually come to mind first. However, the software suite also includes an online video editing package known as Google Vids.
Originally introduced in 2024 for business and enterprise users, the application expanded to individual accounts. Because it is free to use and operates directly inside a web browser, it is optimized for personal and hobbyist use rather than high-resolution, professional-grade multitrack editing.
Getting Started with Google Vids
Users can access the software by opening Google Drive on the web, clicking the New button, and selecting Google Vids. Alternatively, creators can navigate straight to the Google Vids app and select the plus button under the start a new video section to view previous projects and begin new ones.
The platform provides multiple starting paths. Users can choose a blank canvas, pick a pre-designed template, upload existing footage, record from a camera, create AI music tracks, or utilize AI video generation models like Veo 3.1. Choosing templates from the initial splash screen allows beginners to view animated previews and select either entire templates or specific scenes.
Timeline Interface and Content Management
The editing layout follows standard conventions found in timeline-based video editors. Audio and video tracks sit along the bottom of the screen, the main window displays the active video segment, and a sidebar on the right handles adjustments for selected items.
Creators can load new content using the right-side panel by importing footage from Google Drive and Google Photos, recording webcam clips, or incorporating voiceovers, text, images, music, and shapes. Right-clicking timeline elements unlocks additional options such as splitting scenes, duplicating clips, and muting original audio tracks.
Formatting Text and Visual Elements
To layer text over video clips, users select a scene in the timeline, click the text button on the right panel, and choose to add a title. Selecting the title directly inside the scene allows for custom text entry and styling adjustments.
A floating toolbar underneath text boxes provides animation controls, automatic resizing, and formatting menus for modifying text size, padding, and rotation. Elements within any scene can be freely dragged, repositioned, cut, copied, or deleted.
Project Collaboration and Sharing
When additional material is required beyond personal uploads and AI content, users can access a built-in stock library from the right-hand options. All edits made within the application are saved instantly.
Projects can be previewed at any time by selecting the play button in the top right corner. Once a video project is complete, users can utilize the share button to distribute their work.
Sources
- WIREDThere’s a Free Video Editor Inside Google Drive That Anyone Can Use
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