Open the project you want to export.
Last updated on
19 October 2025
Learn to export your Premiere Pro project as an Edit Decision List (EDL) to share with other editing systems.
Here are some tips for working with EDL files:
- EDLs work best with simple projects—ideally, one video track, two stereo audio tracks, and no nested sequences. Most common effects, such as transitions, frame holds, and speed changes, also translate well.
- Before editing, make sure all your footage is captured and logged with the correct timecode. The capture device (like a capture card or FireWire port) must support timecode-based control.
- Each videotape should have a unique reel number and be time-coded before filming begins.
- When exporting an EDL, each clip will include a comment with its name, based on how it appears in the timeline. You can choose whether to show the source clip name or the timeline name by clicking the wrench icon in the Timeline panel and toggling Show Source Clip Name and Label.
Activate the Timelines panel by clicking anywhere inside it.
Go to File > Export > EDL.
Select the video and audio tracks you want to export in the EDL Export Settings (CMX 3600) dialog box.
Select the 32-character names option if your clip or tape names exceed eight characters.
Select OK.
Set the location and name for the EDL file.
Select Save to complete the export.
Note
Merged clips work with standard EDLs, but they won’t appear as merged in the target app. Instead, the video and audio show up as separate clips, using their original timecodes. EDLs treat them just like any other audio and video used together in the same spot on the timeline.
