You can record your screen easily and for free using the Create video editor.
To take a screen recording, go to the Add Media menu and click the Record screen button. Audio will also be recorded through your computer's microphone, for example if you want to talk while showing your screen (unless you turn audio recording off).
See below for a step-by-step guide with images.
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How to record your screen
First start a Create project or open an existing project, then:
1. Go to Add Media > Record screen
Click on the Add media (+) button in the left side bar. Underneath the "drag and drop" area, click on the Record screen button:
NOTE: if you click the button and nothing happens, try clicking away to another menu (e.g. the Text menu), then going back to the Add Media menu and trying again.
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2. Change your audio input (OPTIONAL)
A recording panel will appear in the bottom left of the editor. By default, your inbuilt microphone will be used to record sound. If you want to change this, click the microphone symbol to choose a new source from the list, or to choose no audio at all:
NOTE: If you decide you want to remove the audio from the recording later, you will be able do this using the audio muting or separating tools.
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3. Click the red button to start recording
Click the red circular button in the panel in the bottom left of the editor:
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4. Choose a type of screencasting and click Share
A window will appear with screen sharing options. Choose if you'd like to record:
- your entire screen (if you have more than one monitor you'll be shown multiple screens – select one)
- an application window (your open applications will display – select one)
- a browser tab in Chrome or Edge (your open tabs will be displayed – select one)
NOTE: If you choose to record a Chrome tab and want to record the tab's audio, be sure to tick the Share audio checkbox in the bottom left of the screen:
Then click the Share button in the bottom right to start recording.
Your screen will start recording immediately and the timer in the recording panel will show the elapsed recording time.
TIP: If you want to record for longer than the maximum time (shown to the right of the elapsed time), try taking several shorter recordings and combining them in the editor later.
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5. Click the Stop sharing button to stop recording
To end the recording, EITHER click the a square button in the panel in the editor:
OR click the stop sharing button next to the message saying "app.clipchamp.com is sharing your screen" at the bottom of your screen:
NOTE: depending on your browser settings, a Save File dialogue will appear asking you to choose a location to store the video, or the video will be auto-saved to your downloads folder or desktop. Be sure to keep this file on your computer somewhere (don't delete it!) as in future you may need to relink it to your project.
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6. Click Add to Project
In the Clipchamp editor, you'll see a window where you can watch and save the recording:
If you're not happy and want to record again, click the Retake recording button (you will lose the current recording).
If you're happy and want to save the video, click the Add to project button at the bottom of the screen.
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6. Drag your screen recording to the timeline
Your recording will appear in the media library area (it may take a few seconds to load). Drag and drop it into the timeline at the bottom of the editor.
Here you can edit the video, e.g. trim unwanted parts off the start or end, split it to cut out unwanted parts in the middle, or even add music.
If the recording doesn't fit the dimensions of your project (e.g. you see black bars on either side of it) you can crop it to fit.
For more information on Clipchamp's editing tools see our how to edit a video article.
If you want to take another screen recording, simply return to the Add Media menu and follow this process again.
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6. Export your video
If you're finished editing and would like to save the screen recording in your timeline to your computer, click the Export button in the top right. For more information see: exporting your video.
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Try it out
Ready to get started? Head straight to Create to try it out for yourself:
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