How to Use the Option-X Shortcut to Clear Selected Ranges in Final Cut Pro

Range selections are one of the most useful tools in Final Cut Pro, but sometimes a range sticks around after you're done with it. Option-X gets rid of it in one keystroke.

What Does Option-X Do?

Option-X runs Clear Selected Ranges. It clears the ranges that are selected: the range start and end markings disappear.

Just as important is what it doesn't do. Option-X doesn't delete, cut, or trim any footage. Your clips stay exactly where they are, at the same length. Only the range selection goes away.

Where It Works

You'll use it anywhere you can mark a range: on clips in the Browser and in the timeline. If you've marked more than one range on a Browser clip, Option-X clears the selected ranges.

How to Use It

Mark a range, for example with I and O, or with the Range Selection tool (R).
Do what you need with the range: play it, mark it as a favorite, or edit it into your project.
When you're finished, press Option-X. The range outline disappears and your media is untouched.

Why It's Useful

Clean playback: Some commands act on a range when one is selected. Clearing it makes sure your next action applies to what you intend, not to a leftover range.
Start fresh: Clear the old range before marking a new one, so you don't confuse yourself with an outline from earlier.
No risk: Because nothing is deleted, you can press Option-X anytime without worrying about your edit.

Practical Tip

If you actually want to remove the footage inside a range, that's a different command, such as Delete. Option-X is purely about clearing the selection, which makes it one of the safest shortcuts to build into your muscle memory.