10 Video Editing Keyboard Shortcuts to Speed Up Your Work

July 5, 2023
Contents

If you're a video editor, you know that time is money. The faster you can work, the more projects you can take on, and the more efficient you can be. 

One way to speed up your workflow is by using keyboard shortcuts. 

With the right keyboard shortcuts, you can save time, increase productivity, and get more done in less time. 

These shortcuts allow you to quickly access frequently used tools and functions without navigating through menus or clicking multiple buttons. 

To help you get started, here's a quick and easy guide to follow. 

We have everything you need to know, from benefits to command shortcuts. 

What Are Keyboard Shortcuts In Video Editing?

Video editing can be time-consuming, especially with large video files or complex projects. 

However, there are ways to streamline the process and work more efficiently. 

One such method is by using keyboard shortcuts.

Keyboard shortcuts are keyboard commands allowing video editors to perform everyday tasks with just a few keystrokes. 

These shortcuts are designed to save time and reduce the need for constantly using a mouse or trackpad to navigate menus and click on buttons. 

Using keyboard shortcuts, video editors can work more quickly and focus more on the creative aspects of their work. 

For example, a video editor can use custom keyboard shortcuts to access that tool instead of navigating through menus and submenus to find a particular editing tool.

 This can help save significant time, especially when working on complex projects with tight deadlines.

Why Use Editing Keyboard Shortcuts?

Video editing can be complex and time-consuming, requiring precision and attention to detail. 

However, video editing keyboard shortcuts can make the editing process faster, more efficient, and, ultimately, more enjoyable.

Here are some of the reasons why video editors should use keyboard shortcuts:

Helps You Save Time

Keyboard shortcuts are designed to help you perform tasks more quickly without wasting time navigating through menus and clicking on buttons.

Using shortcuts can help you perform tasks in just a fraction of the time it would take using a mouse or trackpad.

Helps You Increase Efficiency

When you use keyboard shortcuts, you can work more efficiently and get more done in less time. 

This can be especially helpful when working on tight deadlines or complex projects requiring much editing.

Helps Improve Workflow

Keyboard shortcuts can help improve your workflow by reducing the need to switch between different tools and menus. 

This can help you stay focused on your work and keep your momentum going.

Helps Reduce Fatigue

Constantly using a mouse or trackpad to navigate menus and click on buttons can be tiring and lead to fatigue. 

Using keyboard shortcuts can reduce the strain on your hands and wrists and help prevent repetitive strain injuries.

Helps Enhance Creativity

By using keyboard shortcuts, you can focus more on the creative aspects of your work and less on the technical aspects. 

This can help you stay in the flow and develop more creative and innovative ideas.

10 Best Keyboard Shortcuts For Editing

Below are ten editing keyboard shortcuts to help you work faster and more efficiently. 

Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned pro, these shortcuts are essential in your editing arsenal.

"I" and "O"

Photo by Pixabay

The I and O shortcuts mark In and Out the previous edit point on a clip.

The I shortcut sets an In point on the timeline, indicating where the beginning of the selected clip will be placed when inserted into the timeline. 

On the other hand, the O shortcut sets an Out point on the timeline, indicating where the end of the selected clip will be placed when inserted into the timeline.

These shortcuts are handy when working with a specific clip portion, such as trimming or splitting it. 

By setting the In and Out points, you can quickly select and work with the portion of the clip you need without manually trimming or cutting the clip.

"J", "K", and "L" 

Photo by Pixabay 

The J, K, and L shortcuts control playback speed and direction. 

The J shortcut plays the clip in reverse at varying speeds, depending on how many times you press the shortcut. 

Each press of the J key increases the playback speed in reverse. 

The K shortcut stops the clip's playback, and the L shortcut plays the clip forward at varying speeds, depending on how many times you press the shortcut. 

Each press of the L key increases the playback speed forward.

These shortcuts are handy for reviewing and scrubbing through footage quickly. 

You can quickly navigate through the clip using the J and L keys, while the K key allows you to stop the playback at any point. 

These shortcuts are also helpful for precise editing, as you can use them to navigate to a specific frame or moment in the clip.

"Ctrl/Cmd" + "Z" 

Photo by Hitarth Jadhav

The "Ctrl/Cmd" + "Z" keyboard shortcut lets you undo your last action in the editing software. 

On Windows, the shortcut is "Ctrl" + "Z," while on Mac, it is "Cmd" + "Z." This shortcut allows you to undo your last action in the editing software. 

For example, if you accidentally deleted a clip from the timeline, you can use this shortcut to restore it quickly. 

It is beneficial when you make a mistake while editing and want to revert to the previous state quickly. 

It can also be used to experiment with different editing techniques without fear of making permanent changes to your project.

"Ctrl/Cmd" + "S" 

Photo by Khizar Hayat

The "Ctrl" + "S" on Windows or "Cmd" + "S" on Mac keyboard shortcut allows you to save your project in the editing software quickly. 

It is beneficial to save your work frequently to avoid losing progress in case of an unexpected software crash or power outage. 

"Ctrl/Cmd" + "C" and "Ctrl/Cmd" + "V" 

Photo by Ryan Snaadt

These shortcuts, which use "Ctrl" on a Windows device and "Cmd" on a Mac device, are used to copy and paste footage or effects within your project. 

This is a quick way to duplicate elements and save time. 

These shortcuts are handy when you want to use the same clip in multiple parts of the timeline or when you want to duplicate a section of a clip. 

"Ctrl/Cmd" + "X" and "Ctrl/Cmd" + "V" 

Photo by Nathana Rebouças

Using "Ctrl" on a Windows device and "Cmd" on a Mac device, these shortcuts are used to cut and paste footage or effects within your project.

This is a quick way to remove unwanted elements from your timeline or when you want to move a section of a clip to a different part of the timeline.

"Ctrl/Cmd" + "B”

Photo by hellooodesign

Also called the blade shortcut, this is used to quickly cut your footage at the playhead. 

This shortcut allows you to trim the beginning of a selected clip in the editing software. 

For example, if there is unwanted footage at the beginning of a clip that you want to remove, you can use this shortcut to trim it or to make a more precise cut.

"Shift" + "Z" 

Photo by Jessica Lewis

Also called the Zoom to fit shortcut, this is used in Adobe Premiere Pro and allows you to zoom your timeline to fit the entire length of your project. 

This is a quick way to get an overview of your project and navigate through it. 

It is handy when you need to quickly zoom in or out to see all a single or multiple clips in the timeline or when you need to adjust the timeline to see better the content you're working with. 

However, it's important to note that this shortcut may not work in other video editing software or may have a different function.

"Ctrl/Cmd" + "T" 

Photo by Nhu Nguyen

This keyboard shortcut is a commonly used video editing shortcut that allows you to add a new title or text layer to your video project in various video editing software. 

It opens the "New Title" dialog box, allowing you to add a new title or text layer to your video project. 

It is beneficial when adding text or titles to your video project, such as opening or closing credits, captions, or subtitles.

"Ctrl/Cmd" + "Shift" + "D" 

Photo by Jan Loyde Cabrera

Also called the Duplicate shortcut, this is used to duplicate a selected clip or group of clips in the timeline in various video editing software. 

This is a quick way to create copies of elements and save time. 

It is instrumental when you want to create multiple copies of a clip or a group of clips in your video project, such as creating a visual effect or default transitions. 

Conclusion

The ten keyboard shortcuts above can speed up your work. Knowing and using these shortcuts can help streamline your workflow, save time, and make editing more efficient. 

While many more keyboard shortcuts are available, mastering these ten shortcuts is a great place to start for any video editor looking to work more efficiently. 

By integrating these shortcuts into your editing process, you can focus more on the creative aspects of video editing and less on repetitive tasks.

Written By
Andrea

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