How to Extract YouTube Subtitles

How to Extract YouTube Subtitles

YouTube is a treasure trove of valuable information, and converting that information into text format can be essential for organizing and repurposing it. Fortunately, there are various methods to extract subtitles from YouTube videos. In this section, we will explore two primary approaches to accomplish this task.

1-1. Extracting Subtitles Directly from YouTube:

When you need to download partial or less intricate text data, extracting subtitles directly from YouTube is a simple and convenient option. Follow these steps:

1. Click on the three-dot menu icon (...) at the bottom right corner of the video.

2. Select "Open transcript" from the menu.

3. The video's subtitles will be displayed on the right side of the screen.

4. Use your mouse to highlight and copy the desired subtitles for use.

1-2. Downloading Subtitles from downsub.com:

downsub.com is a website that allows you to download subtitles from YouTube videos. 

Here's how you can use it:

1. Find the YouTube video from which you want to download the subtitles.

2. Click on the "Share" button located below the video.

3. Copy the video's URL.

4. Visit the website downsub.com in your browser.

5. Paste the video URL into the provided text field using Ctrl + V.

6. Wait for a moment, and the download options will appear.

7. Choose the necessary SRT or TXT file format and download it for your use.

- You can choose either method mentioned above (1-1 or 1-2) based on your requirements and convenience.

2-1. Using eBookConv.exe:

Download Link: eBookConv.exe

If you encounter poorly formatted text files with improper line breaks, readability can suffer. However, the eBookConv program automatically corrects jumbled line breaks, ensuring a more readable format. Despite being an older program, it works well on Windows 10 64-bit systems. It is a portable application (no installation required), but if it doesn't work, try running it as an administrator.

- Download eBookConv.exe from the provided Google Drive link.

By utilizing eBookConv.exe, you can quickly improve the readability of text files with incorrect line breaks.

2-2. Using Text Cleaner:

If you encounter difficulties downloading files or need to clean up copied text for a specific purpose, you can utilize the Text Cleaner Chrome extension. This extension helps organize text by performing the following functions:

1. Removes styles/formatting from copied text

2. Removes line breaks from text

3. Text for filename

By using the Text Cleaner extension, you can enhance the clarity and suitability of copied text for your intended purposes. Please note that you can find the Text Cleaner Chrome extension on the Chrome Web Store by following this link: [Site Link]

Conclusion:

Extracting subtitles from YouTube videos is crucial for organizing and utilizing valuable information effectively. Whether you opt for the direct method on YouTube itself or prefer utilizing downsub.com or eBookConv.exe, these techniques enable you to convert video content into a text format for various purposes. Choose the method that suits your needs and start extracting subtitles to make the most of YouTube's abundant resources.

[1] 2 Easy ways to extract and copy YouTube subtitles, Naver Blog, https://m.blog.naver.com/inkdj/222704955295, Retrieved 2022-04-19.

[2] eBookConv: a program that organizes text .txt files in a readable manner, tistory Blog, https://openart.tistory.com/1672, Retrieved 2017-08-05.

[3] Text Cleaner, Chrome Webstore, Retrieved 2023-05-14.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.