How to edit a video online in elevate.io

Welcome to elevate.io, the collaborative online video editor for solo creators and teams. This guide will walk you through getting started, from signing up to exporting your first video.

Sign up

1. Sign up for a free account by clicking Sign up in the top right.

2. Enter your email, name, and password, or sign in with Google.

3. Check your email for a verification code, then paste it into the verification box back on the website.

Onboarding

1. Answer a few quick questions to personalize your experience.

2. Choose a plan:

   • Starter plan: A generous free plan ideal for getting started.

   • Creator plan: The ultimate online video workspace with 500GB cloud storage, unlimited 4K Ultra HD exports, and more.

Enter the elevate.io workspace

After signing in, you’ll land in your online video workspace, your central hub for:

• Projects

• Media

• Learn Hub

• Settings

Start a new project

1. Click the blue + Create project button in the top right corner of your workspace.

2. Once you're in, name your project by clicking and changing ‘untitled’ at the very top of the editor.

Select an aspect ratio

• Horizontal: Ideal for YouTube or presentations

• Vertical: Perfect for Instagram or TikTok

• Square: General social media posts

If unsure, you can also upload your first piece of media and drag it onto the timeline. The editor will automatically match its aspect ratio.

Change aspect ratio

1. Go to the Details panel on the right-hand side of the editor

2. Expand the Resolution dropdown to select a different aspect ratio. This is also where you can find the 4:5 option — great for social ads and carousels.

Upload media

To upload media, drag and drop the files from your computer into the Media panel on the left or click anywhere in the Media panel to open your computer's file browser and select files.

You’ll notice there are two sections within the Media panel:

• Project: All the media associated with the current the project.

• Team: All media that belongs to the current Team.

Edit your video

Add clips to the timeline

Once your media is uploaded, it’s time to start editing your video. Drag and drop footage from the Media panel onto the timeline. Then, use the Playhead to navigate your sequence.​

Trim clips

Drag the edges of a clip to trim its start or end. Move clips along the timeline to sequence your video using the editing tools on the left directly above the Timeline, such as the Pointer tool, Select backwards, and Select forwards.

Cut clips

1. Select the Scissors tool directly above the timeline on the left and click anywhere on a clip to cut it.

2. Delete the section you no longer need by clicking on the residual clip and press the backspace key on your keyboard.

Zoom in and out of the timeline

To zoom in and out of the timeline, make sure your mouse is placed anywhere on the timeline.

• On a trackpad: Pinch with two fingers.

• With a mouse: Hold control and scroll the mouse wheel.​

• In the editor: Select, hold, and drag the edge of the horizontal scroll bar located at the bottom.

Fade in and out

Clips have fade handles in their top corners. Easily click and drag the fade handles to create smooth fade-ins and fade-outs.

Separate audio from video

Right-click on a clip and select Unlink to separate the audio from the video. This is great when you want to delete a clip's audio or want to work on the audio and video independently.

Collaborate with others

Invite team members

1. Click the blue Invite button in the top-right corner of the editor.

2. Enter your collaborator's email address to send an invitation.​

3. Your collaborator will receive an email directing them to the project.

4. You can also hit Copy link and send a link to the project to them directly.

Real-time collaboration

Once invited, team members can join the project, comment, and edit in real-time. To follow your teammate, click on their icon in the top-right of the editor.

Shared video projects

To access projects you have been invited to, head to your elevate.io workspace and select 'Shared with me' in the panel on the left.

Elevate your video

Add music

1. Upload your chosen audio file to the Media panel.

2. Drag it onto the Timeline and place it where you want the music to start.

3. Use the fade handles to fade the beginning and end of the audio smoothly.​

Apply transitions

1. Go to the Effects panel on the left side of the editor and select the Transitions tab.

2. Drag a transition where two clips connect on the Timeline.

3. To adjust the duration, drag the edges of the transition or select the transition on the timeline and adjust it by value in the Transition panel on the right.​

Note: Make sure there is sufficient trimmed footage on the ends of where the clips connect for the Transition duration. 

Add text

1. Select the 'T' icon above the timeline on the right to add text quickly.

2. Alternatively, go to the Generators tab in the Effects panel and drag a 'Basic text' block onto the Timeline.

3. Customize text in the Transform panel on the right. Type your message, change fonts, alignment, colors, size and more.

Add shapes

1. Go to the Effects tab, select Generators, and then drag a 'Shapes' block onto the timeline.

2. Customize its appearance in the Shapes controls on the right to complement your text or highlight elements.​

Export your video

Finalizing your video project

1. Click Export in the top right of the editor.

2. Choose your desired export quality.

3. Click Export Video to begin rendering.​

Complete export

Exporting will happen in the cloud, meaning your free to use your computer however you please. Once the export is finished, an email notification will be sent to your inbox with a download link.

Project complete

You've successfully completed your first video project with elevate.io. Explore more video editing guides in our Learn Hub to improve your editing skills and discover new features.