How to Use the Shift-X Keyboard Shortcut to Extend Edits in Final Cut Pro

Keyboard shortcut: ShiftX

What Shift-X Does

In Final Cut Pro, Shift-X runs Extend Edit. It moves the selected edit point to the position of the skimmer or playhead. You select an edit point first, not a whole clip, and then Final Cut Pro trims that edit to wherever you've parked.

It doesn't match one clip's length to another, and it doesn't automatically fill gaps. It's a precise way to trim an edit to an exact frame without dragging.

How to Use It

  1. In the timeline, click an edit point to select it. You'll see a yellow bracket on one side (or both sides, for a roll edit).
  2. Move the playhead, or skim, to the frame where you want that edit to be.
  3. Press Shift-X.
  4. The edit point jumps to that spot. If one side was selected, the clip is trimmed; if both sides were selected, the edit is rolled.

Tips

  • Shift-X uses the skimmer position if you're skimming, so turn skimming off (S) if you want it to use the playhead.
  • You can't extend a clip past the media it has available, so check your handles if the edit doesn't move as far as you expect.
  • It's great for trimming to a beat: play the music, stop on the beat, and press Shift-X.
  • Use the bracket keys ([, ], and \) to select an edit point from the keyboard before pressing Shift-X.

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