Middle mouse to navigate the timeline

[damianMELscience]

Dear Adobe, it probably makes no sense to write, cause the problem persists for many years already, and users ask for that for many years, but if there is a slight chance,

PLEASE, do aling mouse functionality across your product, so that the middle mouse would be hand/pan on the timeline in Premiere Pro.

😟

[Jqke]

Feature request:

(Mod note: User Voice link removed, simply upvote this post)

You can use the "H" key as a shortcut to use the Hand tool. Just press H and drag along the timeline.

If you really want to use the scroll wheel, try AutoHotkey or some other binding software

https://www.autohotkey.com/

[damianMELscience]

Hi, Jake.

If you're one of the Adobe support team, I'd like to address this issue straight to you.

Otherwise, sorry for complaining!

1. switching from one tool to another is time-consuming, especially, if you need to do a lot of small changes in many places.

2. Many Adobe programs already use the middle mouse as a navigation control on the timeline, more closely to Premiere: Audition and Aftereffects.

[Jqke]

I'm not, sorry, I just help out on the forums. I understand it can be time-consuming, but using a hotkey would make it much less time-consuming. Either way, to get a feature added, your best bet is to submit it through the feature request forum here. 

I agree with you, though. The Timeline is really important in Premiere, especially. So, if this feature has been implemented in all the other programs, why not Premiere?

[tj울대]

Hi! nice to meet you
I also wanted to solve this problem, so I created a program myself!
If you use the plugin I created, you can use mouse wheel clicks like After Effects.
If you use Premiere's "H" key, you can only scroll left and right,
I also made scrolling up and down possible.
If you are interested, please refer to the link below!
https://navertjd3.gumroad.com/l/Premierebreak/9PKIKMX

[RAINEIRIO AND30782179kscp]

I have a similar thinking when I learn something from a tools which seems in the same logic, as a After Effects main user I don't get, why the functionality of the middle mouse is not enabled?
Back in After Effects when using the middle button I use it frequently with the "Alt" key to zoom in-out, which luckly Premiere Pro also have it. But I just realize if you instead "Alt"use "Shift", it became the hand tool just for the time you're pressing it. Not quite the thing you're looking for but I guess is better than switch permanently to another tool just for a quick pan.

[RAINEIRIO AND30782179kscp]

*I forgot to tell is when you using the scrolling feature of the mouse midle (wheel) button, not the click.

[Holly25664393zs4o]

I have the same Request for 6 years, it look like adobe never listens to they users????

[Holly25664393zs4o]

Please, trust the usershere, we are proffesional Editors we know what we doing , please hel bring the Middle mouse functionality into premiere just like you do in AE, PEASEEEEEE!!!, thanks

[Holly25664393zs4o]

he responses in the Adobe Community thread you shared seem to suggest a few key points regarding the use of the middle mouse button as a pan tool in Adobe Premiere Pro:

1. Native Support is Not Available: Adobe Premiere Pro does not natively support using the middle mouse button to pan like some other Adobe apps, such as After Effects. This has been a common request, but it hasn't been implemented yet.

2. Third-Party Solutions: Several users have recommended using third-party software like X-Mouse Button Control (for Windows) or SteerMouse (for Mac) to remap the middle mouse button to function as the hand tool in Premiere Pro. This approach allows you to simulate pressing the "H" key when clicking the middle mouse button, effectively giving you the desired panning behavior.

3. Workarounds: Some users prefer using existing shortcuts like holding down the spacebar to temporarily switch to the hand tool. While not as intuitive as a middle mouse button solution, it's a reliable method within Premiere Pro's current capabilities.

4. Ongoing Requests: The feature to use the middle mouse button for panning remains a popular request among users, but as of the latest updates, Adobe has not yet implemented this functionality natively.

Conclusion

The best current solution is to use third-party software to remap the middle mouse button or rely on existing keyboard shortcuts within Adobe Premiere Pro. If this is a crucial feature for you, keeping an eye on Adobe's updates or participating in the community to voice your request might help push for its implementation in future releases.

[ROSS28505688qd2p]

Here's an AutoHotkey script if you're on a PC. Peace and love to all 👍

#IfWinActive ahk_exe Adobe Premiere Pro.exe
MButton::
SendInput, {h}
SendInput, {LButton Down}
KeyWait, MButton
SendInput, {h Up}
SendInput, {LButton Up}
SendInput, {v}
Return

[ROSS28505688qd2p]

I have slightly streamlined the script, but can't seem to edit my original reply. Sorry about that.

#IfWinActive ahk_exe Adobe Premiere Pro.exe
MButton::
SendInput, {h}
SendInput, {LButton Down}
KeyWait, MButton
SendInput, {LButton Up}
SendInput, {v}
Return

[Abraham Offline]

For Mac

More detailed method here:
https://community.adobe.com/t5/premiere-pro-ideas/feature-request-middle-mouse-time-line-scroll/idc-...

Found a solution via a free 3rd party app Karabiner-Elements. I can use my middle mouse to drag the timeline like in AE and Resolve.

Under the "Complex Modifications" tab, click on "Add your own rule"

{
    "description": "Middle mouse button triggers H, holds left click, then V in Premiere Pro 24,25 & Photoshop",
    "manipulators": [
        {
            "conditions": [
                {
                    "bundle_identifiers": [
                        "^com\\.adobe\\.PremierePro\\.24$",
                        "^com\\.adobe\\.PremierePro\\.25$",
                        "^com\\.adobe\\.Photoshop$"
                    ],
                    "type": "frontmost_application_if"
                }
            ],
            "from": { "pointing_button": "button3" },
            "to": [
                {
                    "key_code": "h",
                    "lazy": true
                },
                { "pointing_button": "button1" }
            ],
            "to_after_key_up": [
                {
                    "key_code": "v",
                    "lazy": true
                }
            ],
            "type": "basic"
        }
    ]
}

Hope this helps.

[Luiza_W9122]

Hi! Thanks for the workaround! Wondering if you had a code for pan around images in Photoshop using the scroll wheel as well (just like in Illustrator)? Thanks 🙂

[Kevin-Monahan]

I have the same Request for 6 years, it look like adobe never listens to they users????

To be honest, there aren't many upvotes here; so we haven't got much traction yet. Maybe there were more previously on User Voice, and the votes got lost in the merge. Sorry about that. Let's ensure everyone upvotes this thread, and I will ask the team to prioritize the feature, if possible. Sorry for the problem.

Thanks,

Kevin

[Abraham Offline]

Hi @Luiza_W9122 , here's the code to include Photoshop. Let me know if you have trouble getting it to work. 🙂

{
    "description": "Middle mouse button triggers H, holds left click, then V in Premiere Pro 24,25 & Photoshop",
    "manipulators": [
        {
            "conditions": [
                {
                    "bundle_identifiers": [
                        "^com\\.adobe\\.PremierePro\\.24$",
                        "^com\\.adobe\\.PremierePro\\.25$",
                        "^com\\.adobe\\.Photoshop$"
                    ],
                    "type": "frontmost_application_if"
                }
            ],
            "from": { "pointing_button": "button3" },
            "to": [
                {
                    "key_code": "h",
                    "lazy": true
                },
                { "pointing_button": "button1" }
            ],
            "to_after_key_up": [
                {
                    "key_code": "v",
                    "lazy": true
                }
            ],
            "type": "basic"
        }
    ]
}

[Luiza_W9122]

Yup, it works! TYVM!

[PowersFilms]

I am blown away that Adobe has yet to implement a Middle Mouse Timeline Drag function.

This hasn't received many upvotes, because most users switch to Davinci Resolve, which has a Middle Mouse, Timeline Drag function.

Sadly, I am forced to edit a project in Premiere Pro, and I am once again dissapointed that after the 4 year hiatus I've taken, the Middle Mouse Timeline Drag function is something that is too confusing for the Adobe Team to implement.

Please, Adobe, editors are begging you -- implement a Middle Mouse Timeline Drag.

You can do it.

[Christian.Z]

Preferences --> timeline --> Timeline mouse scrolling

[Abraham Offline]

@Christian.Z not good enough 

[PowersFilms]

Premiere Pro 2025 does not have a middle-mouse click option for the timeline.

Preferences => Timeline => Timeline Mouse Scrolling 

These options are for horixontal or vertical scrolling -- not the common Click & Drag option that is available in After Effects, and other popular editing programs like Davinci Resolve.

[WangleLine]

I would love to be able to do this without having to switch to the Hand tool, and also, I would love to be able to navigate all other scrollable windows via the middle mouse button, such as the effects properties, effects list, keyframes, etc.

Especially editing keyframes is a chore because I have to move away my cursor to adjust the zoom bars below and above so much.