A practical DaVinci Resolve Keyboard Customization guide covering Ctrl+Alt+K / Option+Cmd+K, Resolve and NLE presets, command search, custom assignments and preset import/export.
Open Keyboard Customization
Choose DaVinci Resolve → Keyboard Customization. In the default layout the window opens with Alt+Ctrl+K on Windows and Option+Cmd+K on macOS.
- Windows: Ctrl+Alt+K.
- macOS: Option+Cmd+K.
- Menu: DaVinci Resolve → Keyboard Customization.
Resolve, Premiere Pro and other NLE presets
Resolve includes presets that emulate other NLE keyboard layouts. Blackmagic notes that these cannot be perfect one-to-one mappings because the applications do not expose identical commands.
Search by command name
Use All Commands and search for actions such as Undo, Auto Sync Audio, Trim Start to Playhead or Enable Clip. This is more reliable than guessing which key another editor may have assigned.
Assign your own shortcut
- Find the command with Search.
- Select the Keystroke field.
- Press the desired key combination.
- Read the conflict warning if that combination is already in use.
- Click Save and store the change as a custom preset.
Import, export and back up presets
The Options menu in Keyboard Customization provides preset management, including export, import and delete. Use it to move your mapping to another workstation or restore it after a reinstall.
Build a workflow preset rather than a shortcut collection
- Choose 8–12 high-frequency actions.
- Place them around a comfortable hand position.
- Work for a week and note which actions still require the mouse.
- Add mappings gradually.
- Export the stable preset.
Key takeaway
A good keyboard preset is a small, stable set of high-frequency actions that matches your workflow and can be moved between workstations.