Top 40 Keyboard Shortcuts for Final Cut Pro X
Feb 23, 2023• Proven solutions
I confess I'm a keyboard shortcut junkie. Anything I can do to help me edit faster is a good thing, and nothing says "speed" like keyboard shortcuts. There are well over 600 menu options in FCP X, with hundreds of keyboard shortcuts. But, which ones are the best?
In this article, I share my Top 40 keyboard shortcuts. I use these beauties every day to help me get my projects done faster. Now, you can use them, too. Even better, I've categorized them to make them easier to find. Haven't got FCPX yet? Get your 90-day free trial here.
(And, for those who take the time to count, you'll discover this list actually includes 53 keyboard shortcuts. But using "Top 40" in the title seemed so much sexier than "Top 53.")
Operations
| Option + N |
Create a new Event |
| Cmd + N |
Create a new Project |
| Shift + Cmd + D |
Create a Project Snapshot |
| Cmd + [plus] |
Zoom into Timeline or image |
| Cmd + [ minus ] |
Zoom out of Timeline or image |
| Shift + Z |
Size the Timeline or image to fit in the window |
| Control + Cmd + 1 |
Toggle Library and Browser display on or off |
| Control + Cmd + 3 |
Toggle Event Viewer open/closed |
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|
| J - K - L |
Reverse - Stop - Play the playhead (Tap multiple times to change speed) |
| S |
Toggle skimming on or off |
| N |
Toggle snapping on or off |
| V |
Toggle clip visibility on or off |
| Control + Y |
Toggle skimmer info display on/off in Browser |
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|
| Cmd + 4 |
Toggle Inspector open/closed |
| Cmd + 5 |
Toggle Effects Browser open/closed |
| Cmd + 6 |
Toggle Color Board open/closed |
| Cmd + 7 |
Toggle video scope display on/off |
Editing
| I |
Set the In at the position of the skimmer/playhead |
| Shift + I |
Jump the playhead to the In |
| Option + I |
Delete the In |
| O |
Set the Out at the position of the skimmer/playhead |
| Shift + O |
Jump the playhead to the Out |
| Option + O |
Delete the Out |
| Option + X |
Delete both the In and the Out |
| M |
Add a marker |
| Option + M |
Add a marker and open the edit marker dialog |
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|
| E |
Perform an Append edit |
| W |
Perform an Insert edit |
| D |
Perform an Overwrite edit |
| Q |
Perform a Connected edit |
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| Shift + G |
Create a connected storyline |
| Shift + 1 |
Edit video and audio to the Timeline |
| Shift + 2 |
Edit video-only to the Timeline |
| Shift + 3 |
Edit audio-only to the Timeline |
|
|
| Option + W |
Insert a gap at the position of the skimmer/playhead |
| Control + S |
Expand/collapse audio from synced video |
| Option + Control + S |
Expand/collapse audio components (multitrack audio) |
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| Shift + Cmd + F |
Play project full screen (ESC to return) |
| Shift + ? |
Play a few seconds before and after the skimmer/playhead position |
Trimming
| A |
Select the Arrow (selection) tool |
| T |
Select the Trim tool |
| P |
Select the Position tool |
| B |
Select the Blade tool |
| R |
Select the Range tool |
|
|
| Shift + X |
Jump the selected edit point to the position of the skimmer/playhead |
| [ comma ] / [ period ] |
Move the selected clip or edit point one frame left/right |
| Shift + [ comma ] / Shift + [ period ] |
Move selected clip or edit point ten frames left/right |
Other cool shortcuts
| Cmd + T |
Add cross-dissolve |
| Control + T |
Add default full-screen title |
| Shift + Control + T |
Add default lower-third title |
| Cmd + E |
Export master file of project |
FAQ
- What to do when the shortcuts in FCPX not working?
Change your input source of keyboard set to US should fix the problem.
- How to modify shortcuts in FCPX?
There are two ways to open the modifying menu: choose Final Cut Pro > Commands > Customize, or press Option-Command-K. Then, change the shortcuts and save.
See more FCPX editing tips here.
Above are the top useful shortcuts that I used most when editing videos in Final Cut Pro. If you want to edit videos in a much easier way and get some Hollywood film looking at the same time, you can try Wondershare Filmora. Check the video to see how to edit videos with Filmora.
Benjamin Arango
Benjamin Arango is a writer and a lover of all things video.
Follow @Benjamin Arango
