Boost Your Final Cut Pro Efficiency with the Shift-Command-I Shortcut

Keyboard shortcut: ShiftCommandI

Most of the time you mark one range at a time. But when a long clip has several moments you want, it's faster to mark them all at once. Shift-Command-I lets you do that.

What Does Shift-Command-I Do?

Shift-Command-I runs Set Additional Range Start. It sets the start point of an additional range selection at the playhead or skimmer location, while keeping the ranges you've already marked.

Compare that with the regular range start command, which changes the start of your current range. Shift-Command-I adds a new range instead of moving the existing one.

How to Use It

  1. Select a clip in the Browser and mark your first range, for example with I and O.
  2. Skim or play to the next moment you want.
  3. Press Shift-Command-I to start an additional range there.
  4. Move to where that range should end and press Shift-Command-O to set its end.
  5. Repeat for as many moments as you need.

What You Can Do With Multiple Ranges

  • Mark selects quickly: Rate all the ranges as favorites in one pass while logging an interview.
  • Build a rough cut: Add the marked ranges to your project instead of marking and editing one at a time.
  • Stay organized: Ranges make it obvious which parts of a long clip you plan to use.

Practical Tips

  • If you accidentally press I instead, you'll change your current range rather than adding a new one. Undo (Command-Z) and use Shift-Command-I.
  • When you're done with your ranges, Option-X clears the selected ranges without touching your media.

For long interviews and event footage, marking multiple ranges is one of the fastest ways to get from raw clip to selects.

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