What is the EDL file format?
An .edl file is an Edit Decision List, a plain-text metadata file that describes how a video program was assembled from source recordings. Rather than containing media, it is a sequential log of edit instructions - each numbered line (called an event) specifies a source reel, in/out timecodes on that source, and the corresponding in/out points on the record timeline.
The dominant standard is CMX 3600, derived from the original CMX 600 linear editing system (1971). Each event line carries: an event number, source reel name (up to 8 characters in strict CMX3600), track designator (V for video, A1-A4 for audio), transition type (C=cut, D=dissolve, W=wipe), transition duration, source timecodes, and record timecodes. Comment lines prefixed with * carry clip names or effect metadata added by NLEs.
CMX3600 is pure 7-bit ASCII, supports one video track and up to four audio tracks, and has a 999-event limit in the strictest interpretation - though NLE implementations routinely extend this. Timecodes follow SMPTE convention; the FCM header field specifies DROP FRAME or NON DROP FRAME mode.
EDLs are the universal interchange format between post-production systems: a timeline built in one NLE can be exported as an .edl and re-conformed in another. All major editing applications - Avid Media Composer, DaVinci Resolve, Adobe Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro - import and export CMX3600. For richer metadata interchange, XML-based formats like FCPXML or AAF are preferred.
Security & safety
RISK: LOWEDL files are plain ASCII text; they cannot execute code. Opening in a text editor or NLE is safe.
Format details
in a nutshell- Grass Valley / GVG EDL - Proprietary EDL dialect from Grass Valley switchers/editors with extended reel name and audio track support, same .edl extension.
- Sony 9100 EDL - Another EDL dialect variant used on Sony broadcast editing equipment; same extension, slightly different line format.
Programs that open EDL files
Windows4 apps
Avid Media Composer
Paid File → Import → Import EDL - select the EDL and map reel names to media files. 
Notepad++ (view/edit)
Open-source Open the .edl file to read and manually edit event lines as plain text. 
macOS3 apps
Apple Final Cut Pro
Paid File → Import → XML or EDL (older FCP 7 EDL import); use EDL-X plugin for FCP X. 
Linux2 apps
Kdenlive (limited)
Open-source Open-source NLE; EDL import support is limited - use for simple CMX3600 lists. Technical details
deep spec| Encoding | 7-bit ASCII plain text |
| Standard dialect | CMX 3600 (dominant); variants include CMX 340, GVG, Sony 9100 |
| Video tracks | 1 (V) |
| Audio tracks | Up to 4 (A1, A2, AA/A3, A4) |
| Maximum events | 999 in strict CMX3600; most NLE implementations extend this |
| Reel name limit | 8 alphanumeric characters (A-Z, 0-9) in strict CMX3600 |
| Transition types | Cut (C), Dissolve (D), SMPTE Wipe (W + wipe code), speed change, freeze frame |
| Timecode modes | DROP FRAME or NON DROP FRAME (set by FCM header field) |
| Comment syntax | Lines prefixed with * - used for clip names, effect names, and NLE metadata |
| Media content | None - references source reels by name and timecode only |
| Typical file size | 1 KB - 500 KB |
| Successor formats | FCPXML, AAF, MXF, OpenTimelineIO for richer metadata interchange |
| Released | 1971 (CMX 600 system) |
| Latest version | CMX 3600 (de-facto standard; no formal versioning since 1990s) |
| Open standard | Yes · royalty-free |
| Specification | xmil.biz |
EDL conversions
Community Q&A
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