This page is a complete keyboard shortcut reference for iMovie on macOS, covering all 57 shortcuts organized into 5 sections. Whether you’re new to iMovie or looking to master advanced features, this cheat sheet has every key combination you need — from basic editing and navigation to app-specific power-user actions.
Keyboard shortcuts are the fastest way to work in iMovie. Every time you use a shortcut instead of reaching for the mouse, you save a few seconds — and those seconds compound into hours over weeks and months. Start with the shortcuts you use most (copy, paste, undo, save), then gradually add app-specific ones as they become relevant to your workflow. Bookmark this page or download the PDF cheat sheet for quick reference.
Using keyboard shortcuts in iMovie reduces context switching between keyboard and mouse, helping you maintain focus and work more efficiently. Research shows that shortcut-driven workflows can save up to 8 working days per year compared to menu-driven navigation. On macOS, most iMovie shortcuts follow standard conventions — once you learn the modifier key patterns, new shortcuts become intuitive.
Tips for Learning Shortcuts
- Practice one new iMovie shortcut each day. Muscle memory builds faster when you focus on a single combination at a time rather than trying to learn them all at once.
- Print or bookmark this page for quick reference while working in iMovie. Having shortcuts visible nearby helps bridge the gap between looking them up and recalling them from memory.
- Start with the shortcuts you use most. In iMovie, common actions like copy, paste, undo, and save are worth learning first since they apply across nearly every workflow.
General5
| Action | Shortcut |
|---|---|
| Open the iMovie Help menu | ⇧⌘? |
| Import media | ⌘I |
| Create a new movie project | ⌘N |
| Move to Trash | ⌘Delete |
| Open settings | ⌘, |
Playback11
| Action | Shortcut |
|---|---|
| Play or pause video | Space |
| Play the selection | / |
| Play from the beginning | \ |
| Move playhead one frame forward | Right |
| Move playhead one frame backward | Left |
| Jump forward to the next clip | Down |
| Jump to the beginning of the current clip | Up |
| Play the selected item full screen | ⇧⌘F |
| Exit full-screen view | Escape |
| Loop playback | ⌘L |
| Show or hide clip info when skimming | ⌃Y |
Editing25
| Action | Shortcut |
|---|---|
| Select all clips | ⌘A |
| Select an entire clip | X |
| Deselect all clips | ⇧⌘A |
| Add the selection to the movie | E |
| Connect the selection at the playhead | Q |
| Divide a clip at the playhead | ⌘B |
| Paste volume adjustments | ⌥⌘A |
| Paste the map style | ⌥⌘M |
| Show the Cinematic Editor | ⌥⌘F |
| Insert the selection at the playhead | W |
| Reset speed adjustments | ⌥⇧R |
| Paste the video effect | ⌥⌘L |
| Rate the selection as favorite | F |
| Auto improve video and audio quality | ⇧⌘E |
| Paste all adjustments | ⌥⌘V |
| Paste the audio effect | ⌥⌘O |
| Unmark selected frames | U |
| Cut the selected frames | ⌘X |
| Paste color correction adjustments | ⌥⌘C |
| Paste speed adjustments | ⌥⌘S |
| Rate as rejected or delete from timeline | Delete |
| Copy the selected frames | ⌘C |
| Paste crop adjustments | ⌥⌘R |
| Paste video overlay settings | ⌥⌘U |
| Open or close the clip trimmer | ⌘\ |
Audio6
| Action | Shortcut |
|---|---|
| Toggle audio while skimming | ⇧S |
| Mute audio in a clip | ⇧⌘M |
| Detach audio from a clip | ⌥⌘B |
| Undo the last action | ⌘Z |
| Open voiceover controls | V |
| Redo the last action | ⇧⌘Z |
Window10
| Action | Shortcut |
|---|---|
| Go to Projects view | 2 |
| Show maps and backgrounds | ⌘4 |
| Show or hide the Libraries list | ⇧⌘1 |
| Show sound effects | ⌘5 |
| Show my media in the browser | ⌘1 |
| Show transitions | ⌘6 |
| Minimize the iMovie window | ⌘M |
| Show audio in the browser | ⌘2 |
| Go to Library view | 1 |
| Show titles in the browser | ⌘3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Access iMovie shortcuts from your menu bar
KeyShortcut detects the active app and shows its shortcuts instantly. No memorization needed.