Order-selective multiple-quantum excitation in magic-angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance is explored using a class of symmetry-based pulse sequences, denoted SMx. Simple rules are presented that aid the design of SMx schemes with certain desirable effective Hamiltonians. They are applied to construct sequences generating trilinear effective dipolar Hamiltonians, suitable for efficient excitation of triple-quantum coherences in rotating solids. The new sequences are investigated numerically and demonstrated by I H experiments on adamantane. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.