Edit Video 2x Faster: A Complete Guide to Keyboard Shortcuts in DaVinci Resolve 20
Keyboard shortcuts in DaVinci Resolve 20 is key if you want to go from being a hobby editor to a productive professional. Blackmagic Design has released version 20 with a variety of new AI features, but the foundations of editing It's still all about how nimbly your fingers dance on the keyboard. Memorizing these shortcuts isn't just about style, it's about cutting hours of work into minutes.
In this article, we will dissect the most crucial shortcuts divided by work page (page) in DaVinci Resolve.
1. Global Navigation Shortcuts (Required Memorization)
Before getting into specific features, you should master the basic navigation that works on almost all work pages.
- J, K, L: Navigation playback. J for a U-turn, K to stop, and L to play forward. Press repeatedly to speed up the play speed.
- I&O: Determining the point In and Out on the clip.
- Spacebar: Play/Pause.
- Shift + Z: Fit to Window (displays the entire timeline on the screen).
- Cmd/Ctrl + S: Save the project (although there is a live save, This is a good habit).
2. Edit Page: Main Weapon Editor
The Edit page is where you spend most of your time. Use keyboard shortcuts in DaVinci Resolve 20 below to cut clips with precision:
- B (Blade Tool): Activate the cutting tool.
- A (Selection Mode): Return to the standard cursor.
- T (Trim Edit Mode): Doing ripple edit or slip/slide quickly.
- Shift + [ or ]: Trim the beginning or end of a clip to a point playhead (Ripple Start/End).
- Cmd/Ctrl + B: Cutting the clip right at the position playhead without having to move tool.
- Alt + Click & Drag: Duplicate clips in the timeline.
3. Color Page: Secrets of a Professional Colorist
As a Lumix GH5 user who often shoots in Log format, the color grading is crucial. This shortcut will help you manage node better:
- Alt + S: Added Serial Node New.
- Alt + P: Added Parallel Node.
- Alt+L: Added Layer Mixer Node.
- Shift + D: Disable all effects grading while to see the comparison (A/B testing).
- Cmd/Ctrl + F: Display results grading by full screen.
- P: Activating the window Power Window.
4. Latest Features in Version 20: AI & Fairlight Shortcuts
Version 20 brings many updates to Voice Isolation and Text-Based Editing.
- Ctrl + Alt + V: Enable Paste Attributes (very useful for copying audio AI settings to multiple clips at once).
- Shift + Alt + L: Enable Voice Isolation on the selected audio clip (if using the Studio version).
5. How to Customize Your Own Shortcut
If you are a previous Adobe Premiere Pro or Final Cut Pro user, DaVinci Resolve eases your transition.
- Open menu DaVinci Resolve in the top left corner.
- Choose Keyboard Customization (Ctrl + Alt + K).
- In the top right corner, you can select Preset “Adobe Premiere Pro” or create mapping yourself to suit the comfort of your hand.
Conclusion
Mastering keyboard shortcuts in DaVinci Resolve 20 is the best investment for your videography career. By relying less on mouse clicks, you give your brain room to focus more on the creative and storytelling side, rather than the technicalities of software operations.
Start by memorizing 5 to 10 shortcuts every day, and within a month, you'll be surprised at how much faster your workflow can become.
Also Read: DaVinci Resolve 20: Minimum Hardware Specifications and Key Components for Maximum Performance
DaVinci Resolve 20 Shortcut Table: Quick & Practical Edition
| Category | Shortcut | Function |
| Basic Navigation | Spacebar | Play/Pause |
J/K/L | Rewind/Stop/Fast Forward | |
I/O | Mark In / Mark Out (Select clip area) | |
Shift + Z | Fit Timeline to Screen (View all clips) | |
| Editing (Edit Page) | B | Blade Tool (Activate the cutting tool) |
A | Selection Mode (Standard cursor) | |
Cmd/Ctrl + B | Razor (Cut right at the playhead line) | |
Shift + [ / ] | Ripple Trim Start/End (Auto cut & shear) | |
Backspace | Lift Delete (Delete the clip, leaving an empty gap) | |
Shift + Backspace | Ripple Delete (Auto clip & close gaps) | |
| Color Page | Alt + S | Add Serial Node |
Alt + P | Add Parallel Node | |
Shift + D | Bypass All Nodes (See before vs after grading) | |
Cmd/Ctrl + F | Cinema Viewer (Full screen for color check) | |
| Audio (Fairlight) | Shift + Alt + L | Voice Isolation (Studio version of AI feature) |
M | Add Marker (Mark a specific part of the audio) |
Estimated reading time: 3 minutes