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# Hotkey Trimming

You can do most trimming operations with hotkeys (including trimming video, transitions, and audio). Hotkey trimming applies to the current element. When trimming with hotkeys:

- The Lock, Ripple, and Link settings have the same effect as in gestural trimming.
- In Head/Tail view, the transition that is closest to the centre of the Record Area is the one that is trimmed.
- You can trim by a preset number of frames or assign a frame number to the trim.

To trim a clip with hotkeys in Timeline, Trim, or Head/Tail view:

1. Select the timeline element in Timeline or Trim view, or put the cursor in the appropriate trimming hot spot in Head/Tail view.
2. To assign a value to the trim, enter a value in the numeric keypad.
3. Do one of the following.

   To: | Press and hold: | Then press:
   --- | --- | ---
   Trim the tail | B | left or right arrow key to add or subtract frames from the clip being trimmed.
   Trim the head | N | left or right arrow key to add or subtract frames from the clip being trimmed.
   Slide a transition | M | left or right arrow key depending on the direction you want to slide the transition.
   Slip a clip | , | left or right arrow key depending on the direction you want to slip the clip.

   TipYou can hold the arrow key to trim continuously.
4. Your clip is trimmed according to the value defined in the numeric keypad. For example, to trim the tail by 5 frames, enter 5 in the numeric key pad, hold the B key, and then press the right arrow key. Every time you press the right arrow key, the tail is trimmed by 5 frames.

To trim a clip with hotkeys in Timeline or Trim view:

1. Select the timeline segment in Timeline or Trim view.
2. Move the cursor until the Trim Head, Trim Tail, or Slide cursor appears, and then Ctrl+Alt-click the segment.
3. Enter a value in the numeric keypad.
4. Press the left or right arrow key depending on the direction of the trim.

   The clip is trimmed according to the value entered in the numeric keypad. For example, to trim the tail by 5 frames, Ctrl+Alt-click the tail of the segment, enter 5 in the numeric key pad, and then press the right arrow key. Every time you press the right arrow key, the tail is trimmed by 5 frames.

#### Topics in this section

- Trimming and Sliding to Marks
- Trimming Symmetrically