How to export an Otter.ai transcript, download the audio, or copy the whole thing
By Ryleigh Newman · Published
To get a transcript out of Otter, open the conversation, click the three dots in the top corner and choose Export. From there you pick a text format, or turn on Audio to download the recording. The one thing that surprises people: on the free Basic plan the only export format is TXT.
I built YapToText, a dictation app for the Mac, not a meeting recorder, so read what I say about Otter with that in mind. Every fact about Otter here comes from its own help center and website, read on October 11, 2026.
This app is completely free. You don't have to make an account. There are no subscriptions, no difficult downloads, and nothing is locked. Made for Apple silicon Macs. Source on GitHub.
Export the transcript
- Open the conversation you want.
- Click the three dots in the top corner and choose Export.
- Choose the file format.
- Set the options, such as speaker names and timestamps. A preview shows the result.
- Click Export and choose where to save it.
The formats
From Otter's help article Export conversations, read October 11, 2026. The article says Basic plan users can export conversations only as TXT files.
| Format | What you get | Plan |
|---|---|---|
| TXT | Plain text with no formatting | Every plan, including Basic |
| Clipboard | Copies the whole transcript to your clipboard. Only offered with Highlights and Comments, and Audio, switched off | Not TXT, so not on Basic by Otter's note |
| DOCX | A Microsoft Word document | Paid plans |
| A PDF for sharing | Paid plans | |
| SRT | Text with timestamps, for captions and subtitles | Paid plans |
| MP3 | The audio. Turn on Audio in the Export dialog | Not stated in the article |
The options are Show speaker names, Show timestamps, Show highlights, Show images, Combine paragraphs of the same speaker, and Combine all paragraphs. Remove Otter branding is offered for TXT and Clipboard.
Download the audio
Open the conversation, click the three dots, choose Export, turn on Audio, and click Export. Audio downloads as an MP3 file.
When export is missing or limited
- Only TXT is offered. That is the Basic plan. The other formats need a paid plan.
- You cannot export a shared conversation. Only Collaborators, or Viewers with export enabled, can export. Ask the owner.
- You cannot find the file. Check where your browser saves downloads, or its download history.
- Many conversations at once. Bulk export is on Business and higher plans.
- Summary, Outline, Action Items. The Summary can be exported. The Outline and Action Items cannot be exported as files, but you can copy them.
If you only need text from a recording
If your goal is the words from an audio or video file, and not Otter's meeting features, you can skip the export step entirely. YapToText transcribes a file on your Mac into plain text, with no account, no minute limit and no plan. It does not label speakers or make subtitles, so for those Otter or a subtitle tool is the right choice. The free audio file guide compares the options, and the Otter pricing page lists what each plan includes.
This app is completely free. You don't have to make an account. There are no subscriptions, no difficult downloads, and nothing is locked. Made for Apple silicon Macs. Source on GitHub.
The short version
- Export. Three dots, Export, pick a format.
- Free plan. TXT only.
- Word, PDF, SRT. Paid plans.
- Audio. Turn on Audio, get an MP3.
- Shared with you. You need export permission.
If Otter changes its export options, open an issue on GitHub and I will update this page. Every one gets read.
This app is completely free. You don't have to make an account. There are no subscriptions, no difficult downloads, and nothing is locked. Made for Apple silicon Macs. Source on GitHub.
Related
Sources
- https://help.otter.ai/hc/en-us/articles/360047733634-Export-conversations (checked 2026-10-11)
- https://github.com/ryleighnewman/YapToText (checked 2026-10-11)
- https://apps.apple.com/us/app/yaptotext/id6786382289 (checked 2026-10-11)
Questions
How do I download a transcript from Otter.ai?
Open the conversation, click the three dots in the top corner, choose Export, pick a format and click Export.
Why can I only export TXT from Otter?
TXT is the only export format on the Basic plan. DOCX, PDF and SRT need a paid plan.
Can I export Otter audio?
Yes. In the Export dialog, turn on Audio. It downloads as an MP3.
Can I export an Otter transcript to Word?
Yes, as DOCX, on a paid plan.
How do I copy an entire Otter transcript?
In Export, choose Clipboard, with Highlights and Comments and Audio switched off.