By Tonya Core 
Hey fellow editors! Ever find yourself deep in a DaVinci Resolve project, juggling a rough cut, a music timeline, and maybe a sound design pass—then your producer drops last-minute feedback? Timelines can get messy fast, and screen space is limited. Constantly switching tabs or hunting for the right sequence slows everything down.
That’s where stacked timelines in DaVinci Resolve come in. This feature is a total game-changer for clarity and speed, especially when you’re deep in a complex edit.
When things get messy, or I need to quickly reference something from another timeline, stacked timelines are a game changer. It lets me compare a feedback version to my latest cut, all at a glance. No more frantic clicking or losing my place.
Set Up Stacked Timelines in Resolve 20 in 4 Easy Steps
1.Open Your Project: Make sure you have at least two timelines in your DaVinci Resolve 20 project (e.g., your main edit and your sound design timeline).
2.Head to Edit Page: Stacked timelines live here.
3.Click the Stacked Timelines Icon: Look for the icon that looks like three horizontal lines stacked on top of each other (it’s in the top right of your timeline area). Click it!
4.Drag & Drop: Now, simply drag any other timelines from your Media Pool directly into the timeline area. They’ll appear stacked, one above the other.
That’s it! You can now see and interact with multiple timelines simultaneously. Drag clips, compare sections, and instantly gain a clearer perspective on your entire project.
Final Tip Before You Jump Back Into the Cut
If you’re like me and value every pixel of screen space and every second of your editing time, give stacked timelines a try. It’s a simple tweak that brings massive clarity, especially when your projects get complex or you’re dealing with multiple rounds of feedback. It’s about making your DaVinci Resolve workspace work for you, not against you. Happy editing!
If you want to level up your DaVinci Resolve skills live, join our upcoming live DaVinci Resolve classes — hands-on training with real-time feedback.
Big Baby