Move & Insert Clips Without Overwriting: Premiere Pro

In this article, we’ll cover two effective methods to move and insert clips in Premiere Pro without overwriting existing footage.

You’ll both how to move & insert clips (without overwriting) that’s already in the timeline, AND, how to do so when adding new clips to the timeline.

For those in a hurry, here’s a quick summary of the article:

Hold Ctrl (Cmd on Mac) and drag clips to move them without overwriting. Add Alt (Option on Mac) to prevent other tracks from shifting. If adding clips to the timeline, hold Ctrl (Cmd on Mac) before releasing to insert without overwriting.

Here’s a more detailed version of how to do it:

THERE’S A VIDEO AT THE END 🙂

Method 1: Moving Clips in the Timeline Without Overwriting

The first method is for rearranging clips already in the timeline. Here’s how to do it precisely.

1. Enable the Magnet Tool

  • First, activate Snap by clicking the magnet icon in the timeline toolbar. This will help align clips more easily.

2. Drag and Move Clips

  • Select the clip you’d like to move.
  • Press and hold Ctrl (or Cmd on Mac) and drag the clip to a new location in the timeline.
  • Release the clip where you want to place it; the clip will move without overwriting nearby clips.

3. Keep Other Tracks Fixed (Optional)

  • To avoid moving clips in tracks above or below, hold Alt (or Option on Mac) as you drag.

Method 2: Inserting Clips from the Project Panel Without Overwriting

The second method is for adding clips directly from the Project Panel without disturbing your edit.

1. Select and Drag Clip from Project Panel

  • Open the Project Panel and select the clip you want to insert into the timeline.

2. Insert the Clip Between Existing Clips

  • Drag the clip to the timeline and hover over the spot where you want it to go.
  • Hold Ctrl (or Cmd on Mac) before releasing to insert the clip without overwriting or moving existing clips.

3. Prevent Track Shifts (Optional)

  • If you want other tracks to stay in place while you insert, hold down Alt (or Option on Mac) before dropping the clip.

With these methods, you can move and insert clips seamlessly within your Premiere Pro timeline without affecting the rest of your edit.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED: All Methods for Moving Clips in Premiere Pro.

  • Knowing these methods will save you a lot of time and frustration!

Here’s a video explaning the methods discussed above:

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