All 70+ DaVinci Resolve Keyboard Shortcuts + FREE PDF

What Are Hotkeys In DaVinci Resolve?

Every video editor knows that the key to efficient editing isn't just about knowing the software, but mastering the shortcuts that come with it. In the world of DaVinci Resolve, these keyboard shortcuts aren't just conveniences; they're essential tools that can drastically speed up your workflow, allowing for quicker edits, faster reviews, and more streamlined project management.

Keyboard shortcuts in DaVinci Resolve empower you to perform complex tasks with simple key combinations. They're the secret weapon of many professional editors, enabling them to make precise edits, navigate their timeline effortlessly, and even manage their clips and effects with ease.

What's being covered in this article:

• Essential playback controls for reviewing your edits
• Navigating and marking your timeline for efficient editing
• Key commands for editing and managing your clips and sequences

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Davinci Resolve 18 Shortcuts

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Essential DaVinci Resolve Shortcuts:

PLAYBACK CONTROLS

Play/Stop

Spacebar
Want a quick way to preview your edits? The Spacebar is your go-to. Tap it once to play and again to stop. It's the most basic yet essential shortcut for any editor.

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Play Reverse

J
Reviewing a scene in reverse can offer a fresh perspective. Instead of dragging your playhead backward, just hit J. It's perfect for checking reverse transitions or simply reviewing a scene from end to beginning.

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Stop

K
In the midst of playback and need to halt immediately? K is your universal stop button. Positioned centrally, it's easily accessible for those quick pauses.

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Play Forward

L
Just as J plays in reverse, L propels your footage forward. It's the counterpart to J, and together they make scrubbing through your timeline a breeze.

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Play Reverse Faster

Shift + J
Want to rewind at a faster pace? Shift + J increases the reverse playback speed, letting you quickly scrub backward through your footage.

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Play Forward Faster

Shift + L
Similarly, Shift + L accelerates the forward playback speed. It's perfect for quickly scanning through long clips to find a specific moment.

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MARKING AND NAVIGATION

Set In Point

I
Found the perfect starting point for a clip? Press I to set an in-point. This tells Resolve where you want your clip to begin during playback or when added to the timeline.

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Set Out Point

O
Once you've decided where a clip should end, hit O to set an out-point. This, combined with the in-point, defines the portion of the clip you want to use.

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Mark Clip

X
Want to quickly mark an entire clip without manually setting in and out points? X is your shortcut. It's great for when you know you'll use the full clip and don't want to waste time marking it manually.

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Go to In Point

G
Lost your place in a long clip? If you've set an in-point, pressing G will instantly take you back to it. It's a quick way to reference the beginning of your selected portion.

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Go to Previous In Point

Shift + I
Navigating between multiple marked sections? Shift + I will take you to the in-point of the previous marked clip. It's a lifesaver when comparing multiple selections.

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Go to Next Out Point

Shift + O
Just as you can go to the previous in-point, Shift + O will take you to the out-point of the next marked clip. It's essential for quickly navigating between selections.

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EDITING AND MANAGEMENT

Undo

Cmd/Ctrl + Z
Everyone makes mistakes, but with Cmd/Ctrl + Z, they're easily reversible. It's your safety net, allowing you to step back from any recent changes.

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Redo

Cmd/Ctrl + Y
Reconsidered that undo? Cmd/Ctrl + Y lets you redo the action, essentially moving forward again.

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Link/Unlink Clips

Cmd/Ctrl + Shift + L
Working with video and audio separately? Use this shortcut to link or unlink them. It's crucial when you need to adjust video without affecting its paired audio or vice versa.

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Select All

Cmd/Ctrl + A
Need to move, delete, or apply an effect to everything? Cmd/Ctrl + A selects all elements in your timeline or bin.

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Deselect All

Cmd/Ctrl + Shift + A
After selecting all, you might need to deselect everything to focus on a specific clip. Cmd/Ctrl + Shift + A clears all selections, giving you a clean slate.

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Copy

Cmd/Ctrl + C
Found the perfect effect or adjustment and want to apply it elsewhere? Cmd/Ctrl + C copies it, ready to be pasted onto another clip.

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Paste

Cmd/Ctrl + V
After copying, Cmd/Ctrl + V lets you paste that effect, adjustment, or even entire clip wherever you need it.

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Cut

Cmd/Ctrl + X
Need to move a clip or remove it entirely? Cmd/Ctrl + X cuts it out, ready to be pasted elsewhere or discarded.

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Timeline Editing Essentials:

EDIT MODES

Selection Mode

A
Ever find yourself constantly clicking to select different parts of your timeline? Simply press A to switch to Selection Mode, allowing you to easily select clips, adjust in and out points, and move clips around your timeline.

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Blade Edit Mode

B
Need to make a cut? Instead of navigating through menus, hit B to switch to Blade Edit Mode and slice through clips like butter, making your editing process smoother and more efficient.

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Trim Edit Mode

T
Trimming clips can be tedious, but not with the T shortcut. Switch to Trim Edit Mode to easily adjust the start and end of your clips, ensuring a perfect fit every time.

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Dynamic Trim Mode

P
Craving more control over your trims? P activates Dynamic Trim Mode, allowing you to trim clips in real-time while playing back, giving you precision and saving you time.

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NAVIGATION AND ZOOM

Go to Start of Timeline

Cmd/Ctrl + [
Lost in a sea of clips? Navigate instantly to the start of your timeline with Cmd/Ctrl + [, saving you the hassle of scrolling.

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Go to End of Timeline

Cmd/Ctrl + ]
Similarly, Cmd/Ctrl + ] will whisk you away to the end of your timeline, making navigation a breeze.

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Zoom to Fit Timeline

Cmd/Ctrl + /
Tired of adjusting the zoom manually? Cmd/Ctrl + / will fit your timeline to the screen, giving you an optimal view of your masterpiece.

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Zoom In

Cmd/Ctrl + +
Need a closer look at a specific section? Cmd/Ctrl + + lets you zoom in for a detailed view, making fine-tuning your edits easier.

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Zoom Out

Cmd/Ctrl + -
Finished with the details and want to see the bigger picture? Cmd/Ctrl + - zooms out, letting you see more of your timeline.

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CLIP ACTIONS

Ripple Overwrite

U
Want to replace a clip and shift subsequent clips accordingly? U is your go-to for a Ripple Overwrite, ensuring a seamless transition without any gaps.

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Top Tail

Q
Need to trim the start of a clip and shift everything else? Q is your shortcut, making Top Tailing quick and keeping your timeline in order.

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End Tail

W
Just like Top Tailing, W will trim the end of a clip and shift the rest, ensuring a tight and orderly timeline.

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Extend Edit

E
Found the perfect spot and need to extend a clip to it? E will extend your clip to the playhead, making sure you don’t miss any important moments.

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Range Selection

R
Need to select a specific range on your timeline? R activates Range Selection, allowing you to highlight and adjust specific sections with ease.

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Swap Edit

Shift + X
Realized two clips would be better in each other's places? Shift + X will swap them around, keeping transitions intact and saving you the drag-and-drop hassle.

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Split Clip

Cmd/Ctrl + B
Need to split a clip into two? Cmd/Ctrl + B will cut it right at the playhead, giving you two separate clips to work with.

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MARKERS

Add Marker

Cmd/Ctrl + Shift + K
Want to mark a specific point on your timeline? Cmd/Ctrl + Shift + K adds a marker, so you can easily find it later.

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Modify Marker

Cmd/Ctrl + M
Need to adjust or add notes to your marker? Cmd/Ctrl + M lets you modify it to suit your needs.

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Delete Marker

Cmd/Ctrl + Shift + M
Marked the wrong spot? Cmd/Ctrl + Shift + M will remove any unwanted markers, keeping your timeline clean.

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Color Page Shortcuts:

NODE MANAGEMENT

Enable/Disable Node

Cmd/Ctrl + D
Working with multiple nodes and need to isolate effects? Use Cmd/Ctrl + D to quickly enable or disable a node, allowing you to see the impact of individual adjustments without affecting the final output.

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Add Serial Node

Alt + S
Building a grade layer by layer? Alt + S quickly adds a serial node, letting you sequentially stack adjustments for a refined look.

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Add Parallel Node

Alt + P
Want to apply multiple corrections simultaneously? Alt + P adds a parallel node, allowing different adjustments to work in tandem without affecting each other.

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Add Layer Node

Alt + L
Looking for more control over how your nodes blend? Alt + L adds a layer node, giving you the power to combine nodes using blend modes, similar to layers in graphic design software.

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VIEW AND ORGANIZATION

Show/Hide Scopes

Cmd/Ctrl + Y
Need to analyze your footage's color and luminance? Cmd/Ctrl + Y toggles the scopes on and off, providing you with essential tools like waveform, vectorscope, and histogram.

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Group Clips

Cmd/Ctrl + G
Working on a scene that shares the same adjustments? Cmd/Ctrl + G lets you group clips together, ensuring consistent grading across similar footage.

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Add Corrector Node

Cmd/Ctrl + T
Starting a new grade or correction? Cmd/Ctrl + T adds a corrector node, the foundation for most grading workflows in Resolve.

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Add Outside Node

Cmd/Ctrl + Shift + S
Applied a mask and want to grade outside of it? Cmd/Ctrl + Shift + S adds an outside node, letting you adjust everything outside your mask without affecting the inside.

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Reset Node Grade

Cmd/Ctrl + R
Made too many adjustments and need a fresh start? Cmd/Ctrl + R resets the current node, wiping the slate clean for a new grade.

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Reset All Grades and Nodes

Cmd/Ctrl + Shift + R
Want to start over completely? Cmd/Ctrl + Shift + R resets all nodes and grades, giving you a blank canvas to begin anew.

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VIEWER AND KEYFRAMING

Enable/Disable Viewer Full Screen

Cmd/Ctrl + F
Want an unobstructed view of your footage? Cmd/Ctrl + F toggles full screen for the viewer, immersing you in your project without any distractions.

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Keyframe Editor

Cmd/Ctrl + K
Animating adjustments over time? Cmd/Ctrl + K opens the keyframe editor, allowing you to fine-tune your animation for dynamic effects.

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Grab Still

Cmd/Ctrl + Shift + F
Found the perfect grade and want to reference it later? Cmd/Ctrl + Shift + F grabs a still, saving it for future use or comparison.

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Apply Grade from Still

Cmd/Ctrl + Shift + V
Want to apply a grade from a saved still? Cmd/Ctrl + Shift + V does just that, ensuring consistent looks across different clips or projects.

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Fairlight Page Shortcuts:

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AUDIO MANAGEMENT

Mute Track

M
Dealing with a noisy track or just need silence? Press M to mute the selected track, allowing you to focus on other elements of your mix without distraction.

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Solo Track

S
Want to hear only one track in isolation? Hit S to solo the track, ensuring that you can focus on refining its details without interference from other audio sources.

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Show/Hide Mixer

Cmd/Ctrl + Shift + U
Need to adjust audio levels or apply effects? Cmd/Ctrl + Shift + U toggles the mixer panel, giving you full control over your audio tracks and their properties.

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Normalize Audio Levels

Cmd/Ctrl + Option/Alt + N
Got a track that's too quiet or too loud? Use Cmd/Ctrl + Option/Alt + N to normalize its levels, ensuring consistent volume across your project.

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Toggle Compound Clip

Cmd/Ctrl + Option/Alt + G
Working with multiple clips that you want to treat as one? Cmd/Ctrl + Option/Alt + G toggles them into a compound clip, allowing for unified adjustments and edits.

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Crossfade Clips

Cmd/Ctrl + Shift + F
Want a smooth transition between two audio clips? Cmd/Ctrl + Shift + F applies a crossfade, ensuring a seamless blend from one clip to the next.

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KEYFRAMING AND ADJUSTMENTS

Add Keyframe

Cmd/Ctrl + Alt + Click
Animating audio or effects over time? Use Cmd/Ctrl + Alt + Click on the desired parameter to add a keyframe, marking the start or end of an animated change.

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Adjust Keyframe Level

Cmd/Ctrl + Drag
Need to fine-tune the value of a keyframe? Cmd/Ctrl + Drag lets you adjust the level of a keyframe, ensuring precise control over your animations or audio adjustments.

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Media & Cut Page Shortcuts:

MEDIA MANAGEMENT

Import Media

Cmd/Ctrl + I
Starting a new project or adding more footage? Press Cmd/Ctrl + I to quickly import media, streamlining the process of bringing in your files.

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Close Media Pool

Cmd/Ctrl + W
Finished with the media pool and need more screen real estate? Use Cmd/Ctrl + W to close the media pool, decluttering your workspace.

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Close All Media Pools

Cmd/Ctrl + Shift + W
Have multiple media pools open and want a clean slate? Cmd/Ctrl + Shift + W will close all media pools, ensuring a focused and tidy workspace.

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Find in Media Pool

Cmd/Ctrl + F
Looking for a specific clip or media file? Cmd/Ctrl + F activates the search in the media pool, helping you quickly locate the assets you need.

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NAVIGATION

Switch to Media Page

Cmd/Ctrl + Shift + I
Need to manage or review your project's media? Cmd/Ctrl + Shift + I takes you straight to the Media Page, centralizing all your assets for easy access.

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Switch to Edit Page

Cmd/Ctrl + Shift + E
Ready to dive into editing? Cmd/Ctrl + Shift + E switches you to the Edit Page, where the magic of crafting your story truly happens.

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How Do I Set Keyboard Shortcuts In Davinci Resolve?

Identifying the Command or Tool

In my opinion, the ability to tailor your software to your unique workflow is a game-changer. To start, you'll want to pinpoint the exact command or tool you're aiming to customize. Look, it might seem daunting with the extensive list in front of you, but no worries. Most software, including DaVinci Resolve and After Effects, provides a search bar. Just type in the name or function of the command, and it'll pop right up. Think of it like searching for a song in a vast music library; you wouldn't scroll through every song, right? You'd just use the search bar.

Adjusting the Shortcut

Now, here's where you get to make the tool truly yours. Once you've located the command, you'll notice there's already a default key or combination assigned to it. If that doesn't suit your workflow or if it's something you'll never remember, you bet you can change it. Simply delete the existing shortcut. Then, input your preferred key or combination. If you're not keen on removing the original, you can add an additional shortcut using the “+” sign. It's like having two phone numbers for the same person; either will reach them.

Saving Your Customized Layout

All in all, once you've made all your desired changes, it's time to save them. At the end of the day, you don't want to lose all that hard work. In the top right corner, there's a dropdown menu. Here, you have a choice. If you ask me, you can either overwrite the default keyboard layout (not always recommended unless you're sure) or, on the other hand, save your layout as a new preset. Select “Save As New Preset”. It's like saving a new document rather than overwriting the original. This way, you can always revert to the default if needed.

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How To Use A different Set Of Shortcuts

Davinci Resolve also gives you the option to use a different set of shortcuts from a third party software. Here's how to do it:

Accessing the Dropdown Menu

In the top right corner of the DaVinci Resolve window, you'll find a dropdown menu. By default, it's set to “DaVinci Resolve.” Think of this dropdown as a library of different editing software languages. Just as a multilingual person might switch between languages, this dropdown allows DaVinci Resolve to "speak" the language of other editing software. So, if you've transitioned from another program, this feature is a godsend. It's like having a universal remote that you can set to work with various devices.

Choosing Your Preferred Software Layout

Now, here's where things get interesting. When you click on the dropdown, you'll be presented with a list of different editing software options, such as Adobe Premiere Pro or Avid Media Composer. If you ask me, this is akin to selecting a preferred language on a website. You're telling DaVinci Resolve, "Hey, I'm more familiar with this software's layout, can we use that instead?"

Once you've made your selection, it's crucial to lock in your choice. At the bottom of the window, there's a “Save” button. Clicking this is like setting a default language on a website; it ensures that every time you return, the software "speaks" the layout you're most comfortable with.