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Doncaedit
Doncaedit
Participating Frequently
August 19, 2026
Question

[After Effects] Pre-composition tabs opening in Timeline and subtitle organization

  • August 19, 2026
  • 1 reply
  • 5 views

I've already managed to add the effects, but where did the subtitle files go? I can't find them. I don't know where they went. How can I get my screen back to how it was before?

 

My screen before


​​​​​​My screen afterwards
 
I can already do the part about adding shadows. But how can I access my previous caption text again?

Thanks in advance to anyone who can help!

 

    1 reply

    K
    Community Manager
    Kevin-MonahanCommunity Manager
    Community Manager
    August 20, 2026

    Hi there,

    I appreciate the post. It sounds like you've opened a pre-composition in the timeline. Your subtitle layers should still be in your original composition.

    Look at the tabs at the top of the Timeline panel and click the tab for your original/main composition. That should take you back to the timeline where your caption text layers are located.


    You can also find and double-click your main composition in the Project panel to reopen it.


    Your subtitles most likely haven't gone anywhere—you've just navigated into another composition.



    Hope that helps!


    Thanks,
    Kevin

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