How to Lock a Track in Kdenlive

Locking tracks in Kdenlive is an essential skill for video editors wanting to protect finished portions of their timeline from accidental changes. This guide provides a straightforward, step-by-step walkthrough on how to lock and unlock specific audio or video tracks in the Kdenlive timeline, ensuring a smoother and more secure editing workflow.

1. Locate the Track Header

Look at the left-hand side of your timeline where your video and audio tracks (such as V1, V2, A1, A2) are listed. This area is known as the track header.

2. Click the Padlock Icon

Within the header of the track you wish to protect, look for the padlock icon. By default, when a track is unlocked, this icon appears as an open padlock. Click this icon once.

3. Verify the Locked State

Once clicked, the padlock icon will change to a closed lock, and the entire track on the timeline will display diagonal stripes or a darkened overlay. When a track is locked, you cannot move, cut, delete, or add any clips to it.

How to Unlock the Track

To unlock the track and resume editing, click the closed padlock icon in the track header once more. The icon will return to an open padlock, and the track will become active again.

Useful Shortcuts

• Lock All Tracks: Right-click on any track header and select “Lock All Tracks” to secure your entire project instantly.
• Unlock All Tracks: Right-click on any track header and select “Unlock All Tracks” to resume editing across the entire timeline.