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# Ways that Timecode and Keycode is Preserved or Destroyed

Depending on how you work with a clip, the timecode and keycode it contains can be either preserved or destroyed.

Timecode and keycode data is preserved in the following circumstances:

- When you edit clips in the timeline.
- When you commit or merge layers in the timeline for a clip from a single source.
- When you commit or merge layers in the timeline for a single-frame virtual clip.
- When you load a single clip into a module and then process, the timecode and keycode is preserved in the result clip.
- When you load multiple clips into a module and then process, the timecode and keycode contained in the back clip is preserved in the result clip.
- When you export or publish a source in the DPX format.

Timecode and keycode data is destroyed in the following circumstances:

- When you load multiple clips into a module, the result clip inherits the timecode and keycode of the back clip. Timecode and keycode for clips other than the back clip is destroyed.
- When you load a clip into Batch, its keycode is disregarded. Any results processed from Batch do not have keycode.
  NoteIn Batch, you can use the Burn-In Timecode node to burn-in timecode and keycode. See Burning-in Clip Information.
- When you edit a clip and export as a DPX file.

TipIf you are using Clip History, you can retrieve timecode and keycode data from the original source clips.