# Zoom Tool

From Audacity Development Manual
You can get very precise control over zooming using the Zoom Tool in the Tools Toolbar:

## Tools Toolbar

The image above shows the Tools Toolbar with the Zoom Tool selected.

- Click on this link to learn more about the Tools Toolbar.
- Click on other tools in the image to learn more about those tools.

## Zooming in

To zoom in, position the mouse pointer over a track and left-click. The mouse pointer position will remain at the click point, while the length of time visible on the Timeline diminishes or expands on either side to respect the change in zoom level.

When zooming in or out with the zoom tool, Audacity will attempt to keep same time at the mouse pointer position. That is, Audacity will attempt to keep the same "piece" of audio under the magnifier pointer. That may not always be possible.

- If "Enable scrolling left of zero" is on then it will always be possible to keep same time at the mouse pointer position.
- If "Enable scrolling left of zero" is off, then, when zooming in or out, it may not be possible to keep same time at the mouse pointer position.

### Zooming in to a specific region

Set up the zoom: You can zoom in on a specific region by clicking and dragging. Position the mouse at the left edge of the region you require, click and hold the mouse button, then drag the mouse in either direction:

After the zoom: When you release the mouse button, Audacity will zoom in to that region so that it now fits the window:

## Zooming out

To zoom out, shift-click or click the right mouse button.

Note that even though you are zooming out the zoom cursor magnifying glass inconsistently shows "+" zoom-in iconography.

Shift click and drag zooms out based on the dragged region. The smaller the dragged region, the farther the audio will be zoomed out.

## Aborting a zoom with the Escape key

If you commence a drag to zoom by mistake, you can press the Escape key Esc before releasing the mouse to cancel the zoom operation.