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How to use the script

Always check code before running it on your computer. Even basic scripts like this one. If you’re not a developer, ask an LLM like ChatGPT, Claude, or Gemini to verify it for you.

Option 1: Install to your AE Folder

Download and install the below .jsx file in your After Effects Script folder. You can then run it using the scripts menu, or by using a launcher like Quick Menu 3.

Option 2: Adapt the script yourself

Alternatively copy the code below and develop your own version. If you’re not a developer you can do this easily with an LLM like ChatGPT.

replaceText.jsx1.5KB

/*
Changes the source text of selected text layers to user input.
Adds a hold keyframe if the layer has existing keyframes.
Script by Jack Vaughan (jackvaughan.com/tools)
*/

(function() {
    var comp = app.project.activeItem;
    if (!(comp && comp instanceof CompItem)) {
        alert("Please select a composition.");
        return;
    }

    var selectedLayers = comp.selectedLayers;
    if (selectedLayers.length === 0) {
        alert("Please select at least one text layer.");
        return;
    }

    var newText = prompt("Enter new text:", "");
    if (newText === null) {
        // User canceled the prompt
        return;
    }

    app.beginUndoGroup("Replace Text");

    for (var i = 0; i < selectedLayers.length; i++) {
        var layer = selectedLayers[i];
        var sourceTextProp = layer.property("Source Text");

        if (sourceTextProp instanceof Property) {
            if (sourceTextProp.numKeys > 0) {
                // Add a hold keyframe at the current time
                sourceTextProp.setValueAtTime(comp.time, newText);
                sourceTextProp.setInterpolationTypeAtKey(
                    sourceTextProp.numKeys,
                    KeyframeInterpolationType.HOLD
                );
            } else {
                // Set the source text without adding a keyframe
                sourceTextProp.setValue(newText);
            }
        } else {
            alert("Layer \"" + layer.name + "\" is not a text layer.");
        }
    }

    app.endUndoGroup();
})();