Editing is the most important aspect of the post-production process of a video. Regarding the specifics of editing a video, each editor has a unique method for handling the project.
Not to assume that all editors use the same software to create and edit videos.
In reality, you have numerous options from a lot of video editing software available. However, that’s a pretty common thing to do for professional video editors.
But, knowing Adobe Premiere Pro’s popularity among different software, let’s look at some of the most important Adobe Premiere Pro keyboard shortcuts.
If you learn to master these shortcut keys from the list, you’ll save time and effort in doing video editing and perhaps, become a great videographer. You may want to check out our article on understanding videography basics.
In addition, learning all these essential commands will help you become a more productive editor.
So, let’s get started.
Zoom in and Focus on Specific Sequence
Keyboard shortcut keys: (=, -)
Normally, video editors zoom in and out on the project’s timeline. So, to make it very convenient for you to zoom in and out, you’ll have to learn the cheat code. If it happens to have the Most Valuable Keyboard Shortcut award, then this would be it.
The keyboard shortcut is so useful at all times, and it got three sub-shortcuts. So, just for you, here are the different shortcut key combinations.
- Shift + =/- (expand or minimize timeline tracks)
- Ctrl + =/- (expand or minimize video tracks)
- Alt + =/- (expand or minimize audio tracks)
Mark in and Mark out Points
Keyboard shortcut keys: (I, O)
In your Adobe Premiere Pro software, marking means setting the “in” and “out” points of a video clip. For example, use the keyboard “I” to create a mark in point and “O” for the mark out point. This helps you save time by not scrolling through the timeline and clicking to create them.
Ripple Edits
Keyboard shortcut key: (B)
Ripple edits help you avoid extra clicks every time you edit your videos. It works in making the cut where you click and automatically closes the gap created by that edit. This shortcut key comes in handy in the entire editing process and saves you time.
The more you use ripple edits, the more it becomes valuable.
Ripple Delete
Keyboard shortcut key: (Shift + Delete)
Ripple delete is somewhat the same as ripple edits. It also helps you to avoid extra clicks. But this time, it works to remove a clip and snaps the surrounding clips to keep it safe from creating any odd breaks in your frame.
It is just easy to use in a convenient and straightforward way.
Match Frames
Keyboard shortcut key: (F)
Match frames in your footage keyboard shortcut key help you manage large projects with a lot of footage involved. You may find it difficult to keep track of your timeline, but with a matching frame, you can backtrack the frame without manually scrolling through different clips.
Snap Clips
Keyboard shortcut key: (S)
Snap clips shortcut key works very convenient on the timeline of your project.
If you had experienced editing before and failed to change the timeline, resulting in a strange gap in audio or video that makes everything terrible.
Snapping can resolve that. This keyboard shortcut toggles snapping, and it can automatically align clips while cutting and trimming your video.
Revert Cursor
Keyboard shortcut key: (V)
You can revert your cursor whenever you want using these keyboard shortcut keys.
When you make changes in the project’s timeframe, by default, the cursor will adjust to indicate the action you are performing. For example, if you make a cut, the cursor will change into a razer that represents a reminder of what you are doing.
This cheat code shortcut returns your cursor to its original position to prevent you from unintentionally cutting a clip.
Rewind, Paus, Skip
Keyboard shortcut keys: (J, K, L, SPACE)
These keyboard shortcut keys will help you manage the playback of your footage. Here are each of the shortcut keys:
- Space – Start or Stop
- J – Rewind (keep hitting to jump further back)
- L – Skip ahead (keep hitting to go further ahead)
- K – Stop playback
You can also use the left or right arrow key to jump by one frame in respective directions.
Group and Ungroup Clips
Keyboard shortcut keys: (CTRL + G, CTRL + SHIFT + G)
It can be easy to right-click and manually group clips on the timeframe. But you can make it easier by using a single keyboard shortcut key. The G letter is your best asset for grouping, ungrouping, and regrouping clips.
Track Select Forward
Keyboard shortcut key: (A)
Just click shortcut key A if you want to track select forward on the timeline. The shortcut key is the quickest and easiest way to choose a whole bunch of video clips on your footage.
You may capture all the clips in the sequence that follow a given clip by selecting a specific clip and applying track select forward.
Slip Tool and Slide Tool
Keyboard shortcut key: (Y, U)
These two shortcut keys are separate tools, but they have similar actions to perform.
Both keys are used by video editors to edit directly with their project on the monitor. A slip tool is used to move the in and out points within the entire unedited clip. It gives you the chance to choose the right frame to make your cuts.
On the other hand, the slide tool moves an edit within the broader clip. It allows you to move the clip forward and backward on the entire footage. It helps you visualize frame-by-frame adjustments before editing.
Rate Stretch
Keyboard shortcut key: (R)
To alter the playback speed on the project you are editing, simply click the keyboard shortcut key R.
If you want to change the playback speed on your footage, you can use Rate Stretch to speed up or slow down recordings. What’s best is that these changes do not affect where the clip starts and ends. Instead, it only focuses on speed.
Panel Shortcuts
Finally, it’s important to note that Adobe Premiere Pro has its own set of panel shortcuts. Panels are those “workstations” inside that project, which include anything from coloring tools to audio mixing to the timeline itself.
You might want a specific shortcut for the same panel you’re working on. The panel shortcuts can assist you in navigating between different panels without having to open, close, or reorganize your workspace.
You can set your own panel shortcut key with your desired key combination.
Conclusion
Learning these essential keyboard shortcuts may greatly enhance your skills in using Adobe Premiere Pro. In addition, you may find video editing more enjoyable.
The more work you can finish, the more money you can make, and the more quality videos you can produce. That’s a win-win situation!
Hey, you can also shoot and edit your videos using your smartphone or mobile device. Checkout our blog article on how you can optimize your videos for mobile. Trust us, you’ll learn a lot of valuable tips and tricks.
We hope that you have learned a lot from this article! Want to know more? Tell us how we can help you!
