FCP X: Larry’s Top 25 Keyboard Shortcuts

Posted on October 5, 2014 by Larry

These aren’t all the shortcuts I use, but they are my favorites. Add your favorites in the comments below.

NOTE: I’ve included a much more extensive PDF list of my favorite 250 keyboard shortcuts with all my Final Cut Pro X training.

*Favorite Keyboard Shortcuts*
Shortcut	What It Does
Cmd + I	Open Media Import window
Cmd + E	Export Project Master File

Option + N	Create new event
Cmd + N	Create new project
Cmd + J	Display current Project properties
Control + Cmd + J	Display current Library properties

I	Set the In (Start)
Option + I	Delete the In
O	Set the Out (End)
Option + O	Delete the Out (End)
Option + X	Delete the In and the Out

S	Toggle Skimming off or on
N	Toggle Snapping on or off
Control + Cmd + 1	Show/Hide Browser and Library List

E	Perform an Append edit
W	Perform an Insert edit
D	Perform an Overwrite edit
Q	Perform a Connected edit

Cmd + G	Create a Connected Storyline
Cmd + T	Apply default transition to the selected edit point, clip, or group of clips

M	Set marker (or open existing marker) at the position of skimmer or playhead.
Control + D	Display duration of selected clip or transition
Control + S	Expand / Collapse audio and video elements of a selected clip(s)
Shift + X	Extend (jump) the selected edit point to the skimmer/playhead

[comma] / [period]	Move selected edit point or clip one frame left / right
Shift + [comma] / Shift + [period]	Move selected edit point or clip ten frames left / right

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13 Responses to FCP X: Larry’s Top 25 Keyboard Shortcuts

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Ed Mc Donough says:

October 6, 2014 at 6:34 pm

Suggest Adding Some Additional Basics
J = Reverse
K = Stop
L = Forward
Space Bar = Start/Stop
= 1 Frame Forward

B = Razor Blade Tool
A = Arrow Tool
Brian Thomas says:

October 8, 2014 at 9:35 am

Shouldn’t Cmd-Z be in there? 😉
LarryJ says:

October 8, 2014 at 10:31 am

Brian:

Nah…. What editor makes mistakes????

Larry
Brian Thomas says:

October 8, 2014 at 10:46 am

This fat fingered editor….
Tim Maisey says:

October 13, 2014 at 10:41 pm

Hi Larry,

Where can I get your full shortcut pdf? I bought your 10.1 training package when it first came out – was it released after this?

Many thanks,

Tim Maisey
Lynn says:

June 3, 2015 at 1:54 pm

Hi Larry,

Thanks for the list! I’m using these shortcuts quite often, but since I’ve updated my FCP to 10.2.1, all the shortcuts with Command in it don’t work anymore. So Command+E for example doesn’t work, but the ‘n’ for magnetic on/of does. Do you know how to fix this?

Thanks!
Larry says:

June 3, 2015 at 3:27 pm

Lynn:

There’s something more serious going on, because all the old Command shortcuts also work in FCP X 10.2.1. First, trash FCP X preferences. If that doesn’t work, its time to call Apple support.

http://larryjordan.com/improving-fcp-x-performance/

Larry
Garry Burgess says:

April 3, 2016 at 6:27 am

The period and comma key for the nudge commands don’t work on my Apple wireless keyboard. It just beeps at me…. sadly.
Larry says:

April 3, 2016 at 8:05 am

Garry:

The keyboard should not make any difference. Make sure you have a clip, or edit point, selected before pressing the keys. THEN, make sure there is room for the clip to move – if it is blocked by clips on both sides, it won’t move.

Larry
prasad says:

July 12, 2016 at 12:51 am

delet gap short key pls