Work with clips on the timeline using Track Targeting

Last updated on Jun 23, 2025

Track targeting is a feature that controls which tracks in the timeline are affected by actions such as copying and pasting, navigation, and matching frames.

Track targeting streamlines the editing process and helps avoid unintentional changes to other tracks. When a track is targeted, any edits or operations you perform will be applied to that track.

  1. Select a track in the timeline that you want to target, by clicking on the track targeting controls on the left of the timeline. You can also target multiple tracks simultaneously.

    The V1 and A1 tracks are selected in the Timeline panel for track targeting and this is an option to toggle the track targeting for the selected track.
    Select the target tracks by clicking on the track targeting controls for a specific track.

  2. To copy and paste a clip or a sequence, select it and select Edit > Paste Insert.

    Your item gets pasted on the is pasted on the lowest track targeted based on the layer order. For example, if you have V1 and V4 targeted, your content will paste to track V1.

  3. To find the original source frame of a clip in a sequence on the timeline (match frames), move the playhead to the frame in the sequence and press F on the keyboard to open the frame in the Source Monitor.

    Note:

    If there are multiple targeted tracks, Premiere Pro will match the frame from the highest targeted track. So, if you have V1 and V4 tracks targeted, Premiere Pro will match the frame from V4 track.

  4. To navigate quickly through the timeline, use the up and down arrow keys to snap your playhead to In and Out points of clips on targeted tracks.

  5. To disable a track, select the Toggle Track Output button in the track header.  It disappears from the Program Monitor.

  6. To lock tracks together and keep them in sync, select Toggle Sync Lock .

  7. To completely lock the track, select Toggle Track Lock . This prevents any inadvertent edits on the track.