Mastering Final Cut Pro: How the Option-Command-4 Shortcut Makes the Inspector Active

Keyboard shortcut: OptionCommand4

Final Cut Pro has several areas that can have keyboard focus: the Browser, the timeline, and the inspector. The area with focus is the one your keystrokes act on. Option-Command-4 sends focus straight to the inspector.

What Does Option-Command-4 Do?

Option-Command-4 runs Go to Inspector. It makes the current inspector active.

This is about focus, not about showing or hiding the panel. To show or hide the inspector, use Command-4. Option-Command-4 is for when the inspector is on screen and you want to work in it from the keyboard.

How to Use It

  1. Select a clip in the timeline, so the inspector shows that clip's settings.
  2. Press Option-Command-4. The inspector becomes the active area.
  3. Make your changes to the settings shown, such as video, audio, or title text.
  4. Press Command-2 to go back to the timeline, or Command-1 to go to the Browser.

Why It's Useful

  • Keyboard-driven editing: Combined with Command-1 and Command-2, you can move between the Browser, timeline, and inspector without touching the mouse.
  • Fewer surprises: Many shortcuts act on whichever area is active. Knowing where focus is helps you avoid running a command in the wrong place.
  • Faster adjustments: Jump into the inspector, change a value, and jump right back to cutting.

Practical Tip

If nothing seems to happen when you press Option-Command-4, check whether the inspector is visible. Press Command-4 to show it first, then use Option-Command-4 to make it active.

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