well, this isn't as easy as it use to be--guess I haven't wanted to do it in a long time. Here is what the help says to do, but though I follow the instructions the delete special button is greyed out. Of course I could just slide all the data back (62 tracks but many tempo changes) but would rather not.
To delete time when there is audio or MIDI data in the area you want to delete:
1.
In the Track view, select the track(s) you want to delete measures or time from by doing one of the following:


Select a single track by clicking the track number.


Select multiple tracks by CTRL-clicking the track numbers.

2.
Set the Snap to Grid value to the unit of time you want to delete. For example, if you want to delete whole measures, set the Snap to Grid value to a whole measure.

3.
In the Clips pane, select the measures or time you want to delete by dragging in the Time Ruler located just above the first track.

4.
Select Edit > Delete Special.

The Delete dialog box appears.
5.
Click the following check boxes:


Events in Tracks


Delete Hole. If you want the data that comes after the hole to retain its same placement in a measure, check the Shift by Whole Measures option.

6.
Click any of the other options you want to delete.

7.
Click OK.

What is it you want to delete & why?
 
The answer to this should result in an appropriate solution

If I have blank measures at the beginning of a song I select all (Ctrl A) and slide the tracks to the beginning. Or I don't worry about it and export the stereo file and bring it into a blank project and trim the length with slip editing.    

John, Just curious why you don't select the start and end points before exporting so you don't have to bring the file back in and trim it.
 
I usually do SELECT ALL and then position my cursor at the desired starting point and go to Edit | Select | From=Now.

No reason just lazy, Konrad. Its just simple to do and I don't just bring it into a project to trim. Thats where I will master it.   

Sonar won't delete blank measures. Insert an event at the beginning of the blank measures, then follow the instructions you listed in your OP.

HTH.

Thanks, John.  I was just curious.  Take care.

I do believe that this used to work exactly as Michael has outlined.  I used to do it this way and now I can't.  Yes, there are other ways but I do find it annoying that this doesn't work.
 
Jon

Jon Bryson
I do believe that this used to work exactly as Michael has outlined.  I used to do it this way and now I can't.  Yes, there are other ways but I do find it annoying that this doesn't work.
 
Jon

True. Older versions allowed you to delete empty space, and it was very useful at times.  I also find it annoying that I need a workaround for what should be a simple task. 
 
By the way, selecting all and dragging tracks around does not affect any markers you many have, so this is less than ideal.

neirbod

Jon Bryson
I do believe that this used to work exactly as Michael has outlined.  I used to do it this way and now I can't.  Yes, there are other ways but I do find it annoying that this doesn't work.
 
Jon

True. Older versions allowed you to delete empty space, and it was very useful at times.  I also find it annoying that I need a workaround for what should be a simple task. 
 
By the way, selecting all and dragging tracks around does not affect any markers you many have, so this is less than ideal.

If you have Midi data in your project along with Meter/Key/Tempo changes then you could really wreck your project by sliding stuff around.
The best way if you really feel the need to move tracks is to insert an event in measure 1 and use the delete hole option