Final Cut Pro’s magnetic timeline is fast once it clicks, but confusing at first. Clips jump around, things fall out of sync, and trimming doesn’t behave the way you expect. Here’s how to take control of it.
Why do my clips keep moving?
The magnetic timeline closes gaps automatically. That’s useful for most editing, but when you want to place a clip exactly where you drop it, switch to the Position tool (P). Press A to go back to the Select tool.
Primary storyline vs. connected clips
The main row of clips is the primary storyline. B-roll, titles, and music are usually connected clips attached above or below it, so they move with the shot they belong to. Press Q to connect a clip, W to insert, E to append, and D to overwrite.
How do I trim and cut clips?
Press B for the Blade tool, or Command-B to cut at the playhead. Drag a clip’s edge to trim it, or use Option-[ and Option-] to trim the start or end to the playhead. The Trim tool (T) lets you roll and slip edits without changing the length of your video.
Navigating a long timeline
Use J, K, and L to play backward, pause, and play forward. Press Command-Plus and Command-Minus to zoom, Shift-Z to fit the whole project on screen, and N to turn snapping on or off. Compound clips (Option-G) let you collapse busy sections into a single clip.
Learn the timeline on your own edit
Working on your real project is the fastest way to make the magnetic timeline feel natural. Book a one-to-one Zoom class and we’ll edit together.
More Final Cut Pro help
Importing & organizing · Titles, effects & color · Troubleshooting · Multicam · Captions & social formats · Keyboard shortcuts · Audio · Exporting · Class FAQ