FCP X: Hidden Timeline Keyboard Shortcuts

Just when I think I’ve learned “everything I could possibly know” about Final Cut Pro X, I discover something new. (Sigh… this happens about once a week.)

Several somethings in fact.

Did you know there are hidden keyboard shortcuts for the Final Cut Timeline? Actually, there are several. Some are shortcuts that don’t appear in any menus, others are shortcuts that exist that haven’t been assigned to any keys.

For example, let’s start with this panel here. Located in the lower right of the Timeline, these six icons allow us to adjust the heights of Timeline clips, as well as determine the display proportion between audio and video. All six of these have existing keyboard shortcuts.

(Click to see larger image.)

To access all keyboard shortcuts, go to Final Cut Pro > Commands > Customize. This screen appears.

In the upper right corner, search for “clip appear” – you can actually search for any text you want. But “clip appear” will display the screen below.

These fourteen shortcuts then appear – each linked to one of the Timeline display icons. (The reason each of these is doubled is that one shortcut is for the keyboard and the other is for the keypad.)

NOTE: The two symbols mean press Control and Option while typing the number.

Notice the two at the bottom? Press Control – Option – [up/down] Arrow to cycle through all six settings. Cool.

NOTE: Here’s an article that explains how to create keyboard shortcuts.

AVAILABLE, BUT LITTLE-KNOWN, SHORTCUTS

Shortcut	What It Does
Cmd + 1	Go to the Browser
Cmd + 2	Go to the Timeline
Cmd + 3	Go to the Viewer
Cmd + 4	Go to the Inspector
Shift + Cmd + 2	Show/Hide the Timeline Index
Shift + 1	Edit audio and video
Shift + 2	Edit video-only
Shift + 3	Edit audio-only
Control + Shift + R	Render everything
Option + S	Solo selected clip
Shift + Delete	Replace selected clip with a gap (black)
Option + [	Trim start of clip to playhead/skimmer, also called “Trim heads”
Option + ]	Trim end of clip to playhead/skimmer, also called “Trim tails”
Option + \	Trim clip to selection
Cmd + [	Timeline History Back (open the project that you opened before the Timeline that is currently open).
Cmd + ]	Timeline History Forward (open the project that you opened after the Timeline that is currently open.)

 
MORE HIDDEN SHORTCUTS

Here are Timeline functions that are available, but not assigned, to a keyboard shortcut. Search on the name of the function in the Shortcuts window to find and create the shortcut.

• Open in Timeline
• Apply Color Correction from Previous Edit
• Apply Color Correction from Two Edits Prior
• Apply Color Correction from Three Edits Prior
• Collapse All Clips (to minimum height)
• Expand Audio/Video for Splits
• Go to Keyword Editor
• Play from Beginning of Clip
• Relink Files…
• Set Volume to Silence
• Trim to Playhead

EXTRA CREDIT

Here are more articles I’ve written covering other hidden shortcuts:

• Larry’s Top 25 Keyboard Shortcuts
• Hidden Audio Keyboard Shortcut
• Cool Keyboard Shortcuts
• Three Shortcuts That Move Clips
• Larry’s Favorite 200 Keyboard Shortcuts

SUMMARY

Keyboard shortcuts provide an endless supply of “Oh! I didn’t know I could do that!” Even better, you get to pick the ones you like that will enable you to work faster and more efficiently.

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