Move Cursor to Start or End in Audacity
Navigating audio projects efficiently requires quick cursor control to save time during editing. This guide explains how to jump your playback cursor directly to the start or end of a track or project in Audacity using keyboard shortcuts, the transport toolbar, and menu commands.
Use Keyboard Shortcuts
Keyboard shortcuts are the fastest way to move the playback cursor while editing:
- Jump to the Start: Press the Home key (or press J on your keyboard) to immediately snap the cursor to the beginning of the track or project.
- Jump to the End: Press the End key (or press K on your keyboard) to jump directly to the end of the recorded audio.
Note for macOS users: Use Fn + Left Arrow for Home and Fn + Right Arrow for End if your keyboard does not have dedicated navigation keys.
Use the Transport Toolbar
If you prefer using your mouse, the Transport Toolbar includes dedicated buttons for cursor positioning:
- Locate the Transport Toolbar at the top of the interface (where the Play, Pause, and Record buttons reside).
- Click the Skip to Start button (represented by a vertical bar with a left-pointing triangle: |◀) to reset the cursor to 0:00.
- Click the Skip to End button (represented by a right-pointing triangle with a vertical bar: ▶|) to snap the cursor to the final sample of your audio.
Use the Top Menu
You can also control cursor placement through the standard application menu:
- Click Transport in the top menu bar.
- Hover over Cursor to.
- Select either Start of Project or End of Project depending on where you want the cursor positioned.