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iMovie shortcuts for Mac

85 shortcuts · 13 categories

iMovie keyboard shortcuts for Mac. A video editing app that comes with your Mac, allowing users to create and edit movies with text, images, and audio.

Why learn iMovie shortcuts?

Edit videos faster with iMovie keyboard shortcuts for timeline editing, applying video effects, and managing export workflows. Cut, trim, and arrange clips with precision using hotkeys that keep your editing sessions smooth and efficient.

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Mac keyboard shortcuts for iMovie

Information shortcuts

  • Open help menu⇧ (shift) + ⌘ (command) + ? Add →
  • Movie properties⌘ (command) + j Add →

Import and Export shortcuts

  • Import media⌘ (command) + i Add →
  • Share the selection movie⌘ (command) + e Add →

Play video

  • Play video beginning from the frame beneathspacebar Add →
  • Play the selection/ Add →
  • Play the selected clip from beginning\ Add →
  • Play selected item in full screen⇧ (shift) + ⌘ (command) + f Add →
  • Exit full screenesc Add →
  • Move the palyhead by one frame← Add →

Manage events and projects

  • Create a new movie project⌘ (command) + n Add →
  • Move to trash⌘ (command) + ⌫ Add →
  • Open iMovie preferences⌘ (command) + ,(comma) Add →

Video edit

  • Select an entire clip or project⌘ (command) + a Add →
  • Deselect all clips⇧ (shift) + ⌘ (command) + a Add →
  • Add the selection to the moviee Add →
  • Connect the clip at the playhead positionq Add →
  • Insert the selection in the moview Add →
  • Automatically improve the Video and audio quality⇧ (shift) + ⌘ (command) + e Add →
  • Cut the selected frames⌘ (command) + x Add →
  • Copy the selected frames⌘ (command) + c Add →
  • Paste⌘ (command) + v Add →
  • Paste Color adjustment⌥ (option) + ⌘ (command) + a Add →
  • Paste Crop adjustment⌥ (option) + ⌘ (command) + r Add →
  • Paste stabilization adjustment⌥ (option) + ⌘ (command) + z Add →
  • Paste Rolling shutter adjustment⌥ (option) + ⌘ (command) + t Add →
  • Paste volume adjustment⌥ (option) + ⌘ (command) + o Add →
  • Paste the video effect⌥ (option) + ⌘ (command) + l Add →
  • Paste the speed adjustments⌥ (option) + ⌘ (command) + s Add →
  • Paste cutway Settings⌥ (option) + ⌘ (command) + u Add →
  • Paste the map style⌥ (option) + ⌘ (command) + m Add →
  • Rate favoritef Add →
  • Unmark selected framesu Add →
  • Rate the selection as rejected or delete⌫ Add →
  • Loop Playback⌘ (command) + l Add →
  • Open the clip trimmer⌘ (command) + \ Add →
  • Open the precision editor⌘ (command)Add →
  • Crop⌘ (command) + k Add →
  • Split clip at Playhead⌘ (command) + t Add →
  • Create still frame⇧ (shift) + ⌘ (command) + s Add →

Text edit

  • Copy the selected Text⌘ (command) + c Add →
  • Cut the selected Text⌘ (command) + x Add →
  • Paste the copied Text⌘ (command) + v Add →

iMovie window

  • Minimize⌘ (command) + m Add →
  • Go to library view1 Add →
  • Go to iMovie theater2 Add →
  • Show or hide the Adjustment bar3 Add →
  • Show or hide the Libraries list⇧ (shift) + ⌘ (command) + 1 Add →
  • Show transitions in the browser⌘ (command) + 1 Add →
  • Show titles⌘ (command) + 2 Add →
  • Show map and backgrounds⌘ (command) + 3 Add →
  • Show your iTunes library⌘ (command) + 4 Add →
  • Show sound effect⌘ (command) + 5 Add →
  • Show your garageband library⌘ (command) + 6 Add →
  • Play in full screen⇧ (shift) + ⌘ (command) + f Add →

View menu function

  • Switch to Clip Viewer or Timeline Viewer⌘ (command) + e Add →
  • Scroll to playhead⌥ (option) + ⌘ (command) + p Add →
  • Scroll to selection⌥ (option) + ⌘ (command) + s Add →
  • Zoom to selection⌥ (option) + ⌘ (command) + z Add →

Bookmarks

  • Add bookmark⌘ (command) + e Add →
  • Delete bookmark⇧ (shift) + ⌘ (command) + e Add →
  • Next bookmark⌘ (command) + ] Add →
  • Previous bookmark⌘ (command) + [ Add →

Advanced Functions

  • Paste over at playhead⇧ (shift) + ⌘ (command) + v Add →
  • Reverse clip direction⌘ (command) + r Add →
  • Lock audio clip at Playhead⌘ (command) + l Add →

Navigation

  • Play/Stop and Start/stop capturespace Add →
  • Move playhead to beginning of moviehome Add →
  • Forward one frame→ Add →
  • Forward ten frames⇧ (shift) + → Add →
  • Move playhead forwardhold → Add →
  • Back one frame← Add →
  • Back ten frames⇧ (shift) + ← Add →
  • Move playhead backwardhold ← Add →
  • Move between text filed⇥ Add →
  • Jump forward to the next clip↓ Add →
  • Jump to the beginning of the current clip or jump to the previous clip↑ Add →

Accept/ Cancel

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Cheat sheet

Community shortcuts for iMovie

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FAQ

What are the most useful iMovie shortcuts?

Essential iMovie shortcuts include Space to play/pause, E to add a clip to the end of the timeline, and Cmd+B to split a clip at the playhead. Use R to select a range within a clip and I/O to set in and out points for precise trimming.

How do I split clips in iMovie?

Position the playhead where you want to split, then press Cmd+B. You can also use Cmd+Shift+B to split all clips at the playhead position across every track in the timeline.

How do I trim and cut in iMovie using shortcuts?

Press R to activate the range selection tool, then drag to select the portion you want. Use I to set an in point and O for an out point. Press Delete to remove the selected range, or Option+/ to trim to the selection.

iMovie keyboard shortcuts not working - how to fix?

If iMovie shortcuts aren't responding, make sure the timeline or browser panel is focused by clicking on it first. Shortcuts differ depending on which panel is active. Also try closing and reopening the project, or resetting iMovie preferences by holding Option+Cmd while launching the app.