By Martel Electronics · November 10, 2026 · Manual transcription and review

There are two distinct ways to move a Martel timestamp into a document. Insert Timestamp attempts direct insertion into a supported, identified editing target. Copy Timestamp puts the timestamp on the clipboard so you can paste it yourself. Choosing the right method prevents a common misunderstanding: a successful copy message does not mean text has already appeared in the document.

Copy and paste is useful when you write in an editor outside the supported direct-insertion workflow, or when a document's restrictions interfere with direct access. It also gives you deliberate control over the final destination.

Use the clipboard workflow in four steps

1. Load the recording and choose the timestamp format in Martel.
2. Pause at the moment you want to reference, then click Copy Timestamp.
3. Click the exact place in your editable document where the marker belongs.
4. Press Ctrl+V and inspect the inserted text.

The copied value represents the position captured by Copy Timestamp. If the video continues playing while you move to the document, the clipboard does not keep updating to the new position. Pause first when you need to inspect a specific word, image, or event before copying.

Do not copy another item between those steps. The clipboard may then hold that newer item instead. If you are unsure, copy the timestamp again and use a disposable test line before adding it to your working transcript.

Understand which compatibility claim matters

Martel includes direct-insertion integration for identified editable Word and Writer documents, including the LibreOffice/OpenOffice Writer family. LibreOffice Writer was physically tested during this update. Microsoft Word integration was tested through its adapter checks; exact desktop versions and document configurations should be verified in your own environment. OpenOffice likewise deserves a local trial before relying on its direct workflow.

The clipboard route is broader: an editor that accepts pasted plain text can generally receive the copied timestamp. That does not make its playback shortcuts, automatic paragraph detection, or background direct insertion universally supported. Test the particular operation you intend to use.

Keep formatting predictable

Place the cursor where a plain-text marker makes sense, such as at the beginning of a new paragraph or after a quoted passage. Include a space before continuing with prose. Avoid pasting into a selected block of existing transcript unless you intend to replace it.

In a table, make sure the correct cell is active. In a document with tracked changes, comments, or forms, verify where the pasted text actually landed. These are document-editing considerations; they do not change the time calculation in the player.

Decide when direct insertion is worth using

For frequent timestamping in a supported editor, Ctrl+T or an explicitly assigned pedal button can reduce the number of steps. Keep Copy Timestamp available for occasional transfers, troubleshooting, or other editing programs. It is reasonable to use both methods in one project as long as their results follow the same timestamp convention.

Do not use an unrelated foreground window as a test target. Martel's direct insertion is intended for supported identified editing areas. If you are in another application, choose the explicit clipboard workflow and paste only where you intend.

Verify before a long session

Copy and paste one paused timestamp, then seek to a different moment and repeat. Check that the values differ correctly, the document remains editable, and the text appears at the cursor. Save the document using its own program. Martel remembers playback progress; that does not replace your word processor's document saving.