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eddiemg21
Participant
March 6, 2014
Answered

can't drag video into timeline premiere cc

  • March 6, 2014
  • 23 replies
  • 879375 views

Been working with PP CC since it came out and have had almost no problems. Now I have a head scratcher. I can't drag a video clip from the project panel to the sequence. The audio comes but the video won't. All I get is the close hand with a line through it when I hover over any of the video tracks. The clips play fine in the source monitor but still cant drag it from source to sequence either. Tried this with clips from several projects and cameras but no go. Started a new project, different name, folder and footage, still have the problem.

 

 

[Text formatting corrected.]

 

Message was edited by: Jim Simon

    Correct answer Kevin-Monahan

    Hi,
    You're here because you can't drag either audio or video to the Timeline. Sorry for the frustration!

    SOLUTION: Make sure Source Patching is set up correctly in the Timeline. The video below explains it visually.

     

    Video tutorial


    HOW TO:

    1. SELECT: Select the Clip in the Project panel. Blue Boxes should "light up" in the far left of the timeline. If they don't, go to Step 2.
    2. PATCH: Click the V1 & A1 "blue boxes" to enable them in the far left of the Timeline. (see the image). 
    3. EDIT: Drag the clip to the Timeline (or click a button or use a keyboard shortcut for an Insert or Overwrite edit in the Source Monitor).

     

     

    Notes:

    1. Source patching is where most errors are made when you cannot drag an A/V clip into the timeline. 

    • If one Source Patcher and the other is not enabled, when you drag your clip in, your edit will only include audio or video.
    • If no Source Patchers are selected, when you drag a clip, no clip can be edited to the timeline.

     

    2. Source Patching should be automatic:

    • Once a clip is selected in the Project panel. 
    • Once a clip is double-clicked in the Project panel and loaded into the Source Monitor.

     

    3. If Source Patching is not working automatically when selecting a clip or when loading into the Source Monitor:

    • Try clicking the buttons in the timeline manually.
    • If a clip is not supported for automatic patching, you may not be able to click either A1 or V1 (or both). In that case, you may need to transcode the file in non-Adobe product, such as, Handbrake.

     

    4. Track Targeting: The other two blue boxes that say V1 and A1 are for track targeting, which come into play after you edit clips into the timeline. Don't let those confuse you. You don't need to be concerned with them when simply dragging clips to the timeline. The ones on the far left are the important ones in solving this problem. The boxes to the right do not come into play until you start editing for things like copy and pasting to another track, etc.

     

    5. Source Patching issues happen most frequently with screen captured video that has variable frame rates, which is a very popular format editors use these days. That is why it is more important than ever to be focused on source patching when editing such footage. The issue doesn't commonly happen with footage coming from camcorders, etc.

     

    This is a very common, yet crucial, bit of info that gets by a lot of editors when they are starting out, so you wouldn't be alone. 

     

    Let me know if you have any questions.

     

    Thanks,
    Kevin

    23 replies

    Every match
    Every match
    Participant
    January 29, 2026

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    WailingMilk
    WailingMilk
    Participant
    February 24, 2025

    I'm here same issue Feb 2025. The frustrating and hilarious thing is, I'm following the In-App Tutorial "Import and preview clips" lesson. You are advised you can select one or more clips to add by dragging to the timeline, you are then advised you can do this again. No, no you can't which has been explained in the responses here. This happened to me on the first attempt, following your tutorial, over 10 years later. Perhpaps if this knowledge is critical to the softwares basic functioning it should be in the tutorial.

    Kevin-Monahan
    Community Manager
    Kevin-MonahanCommunity Manager
    Community Manager
    February 25, 2025

    Can you show us a screenshot of your timeline? Is Source Patching enabled? Let me know.

     

    Thanks,
    Kevin

     

    Kevin Monahan - Sr. Community & Engagement Strategist – Pro Video and Audio
    F
    FilmonMK
    Participant
    February 9, 2025

    I've been using Premiere Pro CC since its release without issues, but now I've run into a major problem. I can't drag video clips from the Project panel to the timeline—only the audio comes through, and I see a "no entry" (⛔) symbol when hovering over video tracks.

    Details of the issue:

    • The clips play fine in the Source Monitor.
    • I can't drag clips from either the Project panel or the Source Monitor to the sequence.
    • Tried multiple projects and footage from different cameras—same issue.
    • Started a fresh project with a new name, folder, and footage—still not working.
    • Tried selecting and deselecting V1 and A1 in the timeline—didn't work.
    • Followed Adobe's troubleshooting video (enabling/disabling settings), but no luck.
    Kevin-Monahan
    Community Manager
    Kevin-MonahanCommunity Manager
    Community Manager
    February 11, 2025

    Hi,

    Welcome! Do you have dual monitors? If not, shows a screenshot of your Timeline, please.

     

    Thanks,
    Kevin

     

    Kevin Monahan - Sr. Community & Engagement Strategist – Pro Video and Audio
    aTomician
    aTomician
    Inspiring
    July 24, 2023

    Same issue, just editing a rough cut that I started last week.  No problems last week, now I can only drag audio in.  See screenshot, the last clip is when I try and drag in video.

     

    Have tried dragging video, adjustment layers and more to the timeline, audio is fine but video is a no go.  Gonna restart and if that doesn't work rebuild the timeline...  other timelines in the same project seem to be fine?

     

     

    Regards, aTomician
      aTomician
      aTomician
      Inspiring
      July 24, 2023

      Restarted, no go, as a thought, I duplicated the timeline, still no go.  I then CTRL+A selected everything and deleted it...  and all of a sudden I can drag videos in just like normal!

       

      So I undo'd the delete, and deleted the clips one by one to see if they were causing a problem.  I deleted them all out one by one and the issue persisted where I can't drag videos onto the timeline...   CTRL+A and DELETE again, and the timeline works just like it should...

       

      so so weird.

      Regards, aTomician
        darthlobster
        darthlobster
        Known Participant
        July 24, 2023

        I Use another workaround: Select the target track before dragging your clip there. It usually works.

        Cheers

        S
        sophie24273990eoof
        Participant
        May 1, 2022

        Sorry but i need help, I have done everything you guys have said with the V1 and A1 selected. 
        but when i try to drag and drop a section of the source clip into the main time line, the little hand icon closes ( as if to grab

          

        the clip) but then when i move it down to add it to the time line, but simple moves the slider bar on the sourse clip. 

         

        Any help?

         

        Thank you in advance 

        Kevin-Monahan
        Community Manager
        Kevin-MonahanCommunity Manager
        Community Manager
        August 19, 2022

        Hi Sophie,

        Sorry. It looks as if you are set up OK. Not sure why you are having trouble. You can always try the Overwrite button. Does that work? Let me know.

         

        Thanks,
        Kevin

        Kevin Monahan - Sr. Community & Engagement Strategist – Pro Video and Audio
        R
        Randy5CD1
        Participant
        October 17, 2021

        Can someone help I cannot drag my video over to the sequence timeline

        Kevin-Monahan
        Community Manager
        Kevin-MonahanCommunity Manager
        Community Manager
        January 10, 2022

        Screenshots can help us with that, Randy. Can you provide any?

         

        Thanks,
        Kevin

        Kevin Monahan - Sr. Community & Engagement Strategist – Pro Video and Audio
        A
        Alluring_Charm98A4
        Participant
        September 2, 2021

        That helps, thanks!

          albertp76030561
          albertp76030561
          Participant
          March 14, 2021

          So beyond aggrivated about the MOST basic function that one would need a video editor to do which is getting a video track into a timeline. Its  not working and support leaves it up to us to try and figure it out on a forum like this. I have spent HOURS looking for a solution. The simple fix everyone is talking about with the V1, V2 buttons does not do anything at all. Still cant drag anything. I have uninstalled premiere pro, updated to the newest verion etc nothing works Premiere pro is useless at this point. 

          Ann Bens
          Community Expert
          Ann BensCommunity Expert
          Community Expert
          March 14, 2021

          If source patching is not the fix. Make a new thread with your issue, computer specs and screenshots of UI and media used in Mediainfo.

            S
            Salahuddin0D44
            Participant
            January 2, 2021

            Thanks a million for this simple, but great tip. You just made my life easier ... Last three months waisted too much time by creating a new sequences from clips, cut+paste in the main sequence. UGH!

              Kevin-Monahan
              Community Manager
              Kevin-MonahanCommunity Manager
              Community Manager
              January 6, 2021

              So glad you found this solution, Salahuddin! Have fun editing.

               

              Kevin

              Kevin Monahan - Sr. Community & Engagement Strategist – Pro Video and Audio
              N
              Nikki5FCA
              Participant
              December 1, 2020

              Ok yes it worked but I mean WHYYYYY must it be like this (I am such a newb to PP). That simple <<source patchers>> click has caused me so much undue stress before finding this forum. 

              P
              professorQ
              Participating Frequently
              December 3, 2020

              Here's the issue in action.  I can't drag the clip in, but I can create a new sequence from clip, then cut and paste it into the primary sequence.  What gives?  Why can't I just drag it in to begin with?

              Ann Bens
              Community Expert
              Ann BensCommunity Expert
              Community Expert
              December 3, 2020

              Reed Kevins reply.

              Source patching is the name of your issue.

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