Using the Option-Left Arrow Shortcut in Final Cut Pro to Move Clips Left

Keyboard shortcut: OptionLeft Arrow

What Option-Left Arrow Does

In Final Cut Pro, Option-Left Arrow runs Move Left. It moves the selected clip to the left so it swaps places with the previous clip. Instead of dragging a clip around and hoping it lands in the right spot, you can reorder your edit with one keystroke.

It isn't a text-field or marker navigation shortcut. It changes the order of clips in your project.

Where It Works

Use it in the timeline. Select a clip and press Option-Left Arrow, and the clip trades places with the clip before it. The rest of your edit stays in order around it.

How to Use It

  1. Click a clip in the timeline to select it.
  2. Press Option-Left Arrow. The clip swaps with the clip to its left.
  3. Press it again to keep moving the clip earlier, one clip at a time.
  4. Play back the section to check the new order.

Tips

  • It's a fast way to test whether a shot works better earlier in a sequence. If you don't like it, press Command-Z to undo.
  • Because the clip swaps with its neighbor rather than overwriting it, you won't leave gaps or lose footage.
  • Combine it with the Up and Down Arrow keys to jump between edit points and check each cut after you reorder.

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