# Editing tools

> Selection, razor, trim and rate stretch, plus the ripple and rolling trim behaviors.

Formats Studio docs · Core editing · https://formats.app/docs/editing-tools · Updated 2026-09-27

## The core tools

| Tool | Key | Use |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Selection | `V` | Select, move, and arrange clips. |
| Trim edit | `T` | Drag a clip edge to change where it starts or ends. |
| Razor | `C` | Cut a clip wherever you click. |
| Rate stretch | `R` | Change duration by changing playback speed. |

## Trim behaviors

- A **ripple** trim changes an edit and shifts all later material, so the total duration changes.
- A **rolling** trim moves the cut between two neighboring clips, with no change to overall duration.

> **Note:** Ripple and rolling are behaviors of the **Trim edit** tool, not separate tools with their own shortcut.

## Keep clips in sync

- **Linked selection** moves a video clip and its audio together; toggle it with `⇧L`.
- Link clips with `⌥⌘L` and unlink them with `⌥⇧L` when a relationship needs to change.
- **Sync lock** on a track keeps timing aligned during ripple-style edits.

## Structural edits

- Insert a **freeze frame** at the playhead with `⇧F` to hold a single frame.
- Group a run of clips into a **compound clip** to reuse or simplify a busy section, or open it as a **sequence** tab to edit it as a standalone timeline.
- Use the **Bento layout** dialog to arrange selected visual clips into a structured grid.

## Related

- [Timeline basics](https://formats.app/docs/timeline): Tracks, adding clips, selection, split and join, deleting, snapping, ranges, sequences, and zoom.
- [Keyboard shortcuts](https://formats.app/docs/keyboard-shortcuts): Default shortcuts by group, plus how to search, rebind, and reset them.
- [Clip properties](https://formats.app/docs/properties): Transform, crop, opacity and blend, and the type-specific controls for each kind of clip.