Make intuitive edits with Suite’s comprehensive list of shortcuts for Adobe Premiere Pro

Editors working in Adobe Premiere Pro want to find the flow state and get into the creative process as quickly as possible. Thankfully, there are a number of preset keyboard shortcuts, called “hotkeys,” built into Adobe. Designed to intuitively assist your work in the editing bay, these keyboard commands will speed up your workflow, make the editing process less cumbersome and provide you the tools you need to move onto the next step. 

Over time, using these shortcuts will become second nature. But keep this list close-at-hand—heck, even print it out for reference—as you familiarize yourself with these maneuvers. Every experienced editor will tell you that these commands are key to reducing hiccups and headaches during the post production process, and it’s only a matter of time until you learn the hotkeys that are the most beneficial to your workflow. 

REVIEWING

Sifting through raw files and finding selects worthy of the final cut—that’s where the magic of the editing process begins. From these clips a timeline is formed, and this string of footage becomes the foundation for the rest of your project. Placing these clips into Adobe Premiere Pro with the hotkeys below will expedite the process. Finding the selects… well, that’s up to you.

• Set in/out point:  I/O
• Insert on timeline:  ,
• Drag insert:  Cmd/Ctrl + Drag
• Replace clip:  Opt/Alt + Drag
• Deselect all:  L 

NAVIGATING

With a timeline placed into Adobe Premiere Pro, it’s time to trim, cut and shape the footage into its final form. But navigating between clips at opposite ends of your storyboard can be a clunky process. With the keyboard shortcuts listed below, you’ll seamlessly hop between each chapter of your video project editing, coloring and designing sound with more efficiency than ever. 

• Go to previous/next clip:  ↑/↓
• Go back/forward one frame:  ←/→
• Shuttle Left: J - tap twice for faster rewind
• Shuttle Right:  L - tap twice for faster playback
• Shuttle Stop: K
• Zoom in/out on timeline:  T/R 
• Fast forward/rewind:  FF/SS 
• Hand tool:  H
• Maximize/minimize panel:  ~

SELECTING & DELETING

Picking and choosing clips that need to be trimmed—or completely removed—is a standard part of every post production process. Thankfully, Adobe makes it a one-click process to highlight clips and remove them from the project while the “ripple” tool automatically identifies the space between two clips to ensure your timeline and its many layers continue to playback correctly. 

• Selection tool:  V
• Select clips at playhead:  D
• Ripple delete clip:  X 

CUTTING

Splicing clips to flow in the way that makes the audience inch to the edge of their seats—that’s the goal of every editor, sound designer and color correction specialist. To easily trim clips and edit sequences with surgeon-like precision, utilize the hotkeys below in Adobe Premiere Pro. 

• Cut at playhead:  Shift + G 
• Trim before/after playhead:  Q/W
• Cut/razor tool:  C
• Ripple edit tool:  B

ARRANGING

Sometimes the story needs to be rearranged to achieve the effect it’s supposed to have on the audience. This means potentially selecting large segments or scenes within your project and moving them elsewhere on the timeline. Explore the keyboard shortcuts below to effortlessly select and move chapters of your story to completely revamp your project’s arrangement.

• Move + insert:  Cmd/Ctrl + Drag
• Paste insert:  Shift + V 
• Duplicate:  Opt/Alt + Drag
• Swap:  Opt/Alt + Cmd/Ctrl + Drag

CUSTOMIZATION

The video editing process is a personal one. Which is why Adobe allows for complete customization of Premiere Pro hotkeys to match the individual needs of editors. Many make changes to their preferred keyboard shortcuts over the course of a career, learning what works best based on personal preference and experience—but don’t rush into big changes. Start with Adobe’s default hotkeys, memorize them and take note of which are most useful to you. Then consider customizing a few keys at a time. For editors switching to Premiere Pro from other NLE platforms, Adobe also offers easy-to-swap presets that match your usual keystrokes, ensuring a smooth transition from Final Cut, Davinci and others. If you’re ready to customize to your current keyboard layout, use the couple of hotkeys below as a starting point to make life easier.

• Synchronize audio:  Control + S 
• Set favorites: Control + F

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To learn more about Suite’s cloud-based post production solutions designed to save your studio time, money and open the door to take on more projects with remote collaborators, click here. 

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