How to Use the Command-D Shortcut in Final Cut Pro to Duplicate Projects and Clips

Keyboard shortcut: CommandD

Before you make a big change to an edit, it’s smart to have a safe copy. In Final Cut Pro, Command-D is the Duplicate command. It duplicates the selected project or clip in the Browser.

What Command-D Does

Select a project or a clip in the Browser and press Command-D. Final Cut Pro creates a copy in the same event. For a project, the duplicate contains your whole edit, so you can experiment freely while the original stays untouched.

How to Duplicate a Project

  1. In the Browser, select the project you want to copy.
  2. Press Command-D (or choose Edit > Duplicate).
  3. A duplicate project appears in the Browser. Rename it right away, for example "Client Cut v2," so you always know which version is which.
  4. Double-click the duplicate to open it in the Timeline and start experimenting.

Duplicating Clips in the Browser

Command-D works on clips in the Browser too. Duplicating a Browser clip doesn’t copy the media file on your drive; the new clip simply refers to the same media. That makes it a lightweight way to keep, for example, a version of a clip with different metadata or a different name.

When to Use It

  • Versioning: Make a copy before a major restructure, a client revision, or a social-media cut-down.
  • Alternate edits: Build a short version and a long version from the same starting point.
  • Peace of mind: If the experiment doesn’t work, your original project is still exactly as you left it.

Tips

  • Want to copy a clip inside the Timeline instead? Hold Option and drag the clip to make a copy there.
  • Keep your versions organized by naming them consistently and keeping them in the same event as the original.

Command-D takes a second, and it can save you hours. Make it a habit before every big change.

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