SRT, VTT, DOCX, TXT, CSV or JSON: which export format should you choose?

By the BF-Blessy team · Updated November 7, 2026 · 2 min read

After you transcribe, you have to choose a format to export. The choice matters because each format is designed for a different job. Picking the wrong one means extra work later. Here is what each format is for, and a quick way to decide.

TXT: plain text

A text file with only the words. It opens on every device and in every program. Choose it for quick notes, for copying into an email or a message, or when you only need the content and no formatting.

DOCX: a Word document

A document you can format, comment on, print and send. Choose it for interviews, meeting minutes, reports and anything a person will read and edit. It is the best choice when the transcript is the final product.

SRT: subtitles with timing

SRT is the most widely accepted subtitle format. Each block has a number, a start and end time, and one or two lines of text. Choose it when you will add subtitles to a video on a phone, in a video editor or on most social media platforms.

VTT: subtitles for the web

VTT is similar to SRT but made for web pages and HTML video players. Choose it if you publish a video on your own website, or on a platform that asks for WebVTT.

CSV: a table

CSV puts each segment in a row, usually with start time, end time and text, and opens in spreadsheet programs. Choose it to sort, search, count words, assign speakers in a column, or share with a team that works in spreadsheets.

JSON: data for programs

JSON stores the segments in a structured form that developers can read automatically. Choose it if you will feed the transcript into another program, a database or an analysis.

A simple rule to decide

• Reading and editing: DOCX.
• Quick copy: TXT.
• Video subtitles: SRT, or VTT for the web.
• Analysis in a spreadsheet: CSV.
• Another program: JSON.

Before you export

Review the transcript first. Subtitles also need readable segments: not too long, and shown for enough time to be read. If a segment is too long, split it. Export again after corrections, because a file keeps the text as it was when you exported it.