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Edit video in Premiere Pro

Use the editing tools in Premiere Pro to select, cut, and trim individual clips as you shape your story. You can use keyboard shortcuts to switch between tools faster.

After you import media into a new project in Premiere Pro, you can see all your clips assembled in a sequence on the timeline. You are ready to start editing.

Basics of editing on the timeline in Premiere Pro
Basics of editing on the timeline in Premiere Pro

To trim a clip, select it on the timeline, and drag one of the edges of the clip.

To cut a clip, choose the Razor   tool, position it over a clip in the timeline, and click.

To reposition a clip, select it and drag it.

Note:

Editing on the timeline is non-destructive: you can trim, cut, copy, and move clips without altering the original media. All of your original media is available in the Project panel.

Add or remove clips

  • To remove a clip from the sequence, select it and press delete.
  • To add a new clip to your sequence, drag it from the Project panel onto the timeline. You can also add clips directly from folders on your computer.
Drag a clip from the Project panel on to the timeline
Drag a clip from the Project panel on to the timeline

Remove gaps

  • To close a gap between clips, select the gap and press delete.
  • You can also use the Ripple Edit   tool to trim the edge of a clip and automatically close the gap with the clip next to it.
Use the Ripple Edit tool to automatically close gaps when editing on the timeline
Use the Ripple Edit tool to automatically close gaps when editing on the timeline

Work faster with keyboard shortcuts

  • Use V to switch to the Selection   tool
  • Use C to switch to the Razor   tool 
  • Use B to switch to the Ripple Edit   tool 
  • Use the spacebar to play and pause when you want to preview the current edit

You can also

  • Use the right and left arrow keys to nudge the playhead forwards or backward, one frame at a time.
  • Double-click clips to preview them on their own in the Source Monitor.
  • Position clips on different video tracks. This allows you to stack clips without overwriting the clips below them. 
  • Add music to an audio track.

Editing in Premiere Pro (Video Tutorial)

For more videos like these, check out AdobeVideoTraining.com.


Learn more

TALK TO US

If you have a question about editing on the timeline, reach out to us in our Premiere Pro community. We would love to help.

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