How to Use the Shift-? (Question Mark) Keyboard Shortcut in Final Cut Pro for Efficient Editing

Shift-? (Question Mark) runs the Final Cut Pro command Play Around. It plays around the playhead position: playback starts a little before the playhead and ends a little after it. It's the fastest way to check an edit you just made without backing up and pressing play yourself.

How It Works

Play Around uses the pre-roll and post-roll durations set in Final Cut Pro's settings. When you press Shift-?, Final Cut Pro backs up by the pre-roll amount, plays through the playhead position, continues for the post-roll amount, then stops. The playhead goes back to where it was, so you're ready to make your next adjustment. It plays once; it doesn't loop.

How to Use It

Put the playhead on the spot you want to review, such as a cut you just trimmed.
Press Shift-?.
Watch and listen as Final Cut Pro plays through that spot.
Make your change, then press Shift-? again to check it.

When to Use It

Checking cuts: After a trim, Play Around shows you exactly how the cut flows from one shot to the next.
Audio edits: Hear whether a cut in dialogue or music sounds smooth.
Transitions and titles: Park the playhead in the middle of a transition or title animation and press Shift-? to see it in context.

Tips

If you want more (or less) context, change the pre-roll and post-roll durations in Final Cut Pro's settings.
Combine Play Around with keyboard trimming. Select an edge, nudge it with Comma or Period, then press Shift-? to review. You can refine a cut without touching the mouse.
If you want to watch a section over and over, turn on looping playback and play a range instead.