Ripple Editing

A Ripple Edit is a trim that automatically adjusts the rest of the timeline to compensate for the change. It is one of the most powerful and frequently used tools in professional video editing.

The Trim Tool

To enable Ripple editing, you must switch from the default Selection Tool (A) to the Trim Tool (T). Press T on your keyboard, or click the Trim icon in the toolbar (it looks like a rectangle with two arrows).

Performing a Ripple Trim

Imagine you have Clip 1, Clip 2, and Clip 3 back-to-back. You realize Clip 1 is too long and needs to be shortened by 2 seconds.

  1. With the Trim Tool active, hover over the right edge of Clip 1.
  2. The cursor will change into a yellow ripple icon.
  3. Click and drag the edge 2 seconds to the left.

The Result: Clip 1 becomes shorter. Instantly, Clip 2 and Clip 3 slide to the left by exactly 2 seconds, staying perfectly flush against Clip 1. No empty gap is created. The total duration of your sequence is reduced by 2 seconds.

Ripple Delete

If you want to entirely delete a clip from the middle of your sequence, simply pressing the standard Backspace key will remove the clip but leave a gaping hole in your timeline.

To delete the clip and instantly pull the rest of the timeline leftward to close the gap:

  • Select the clip and press Shift + Backspace (Windows) or Shift + Delete (macOS).
  • Alternatively, right-click the clip and select Ripple Delete.

The Roll Edit

The Trim Tool (T) has another dynamic function: the Roll Edit. A Roll Edit changes where a cut happens, but does not change the overall duration of your sequence.

Imagine Clip 1 and Clip 2 are flush against each other. You want Clip 1 to play for 1 second longer, which means Clip 2 must start 1 second later.

  1. With the Trim Tool active, hover exactly between Clip 1 and Clip 2 (directly over the cut).
  2. The cursor will change to a dual-roller icon.
  3. Click and drag to the right by 1 second.

The Result: The "cut" itself moved. Clip 1 was extended by 1 second, and Clip 2 was trimmed back by 1 second simultaneously. The total length of the sequence remains completely unchanged, and no other clips on the timeline moved.