DaVinci Resolve 20 tutorial

How to Customize DaVinci Resolve Keyboard Shortcuts and Presets

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.

Practical tip

Even when coming from Premiere Pro, learn the Resolve command names so you can search and remap them deliberately.

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.

Important

Do not remap dozens of keys on day one. Change only commands that repeatedly slow down your real workflow.

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.

Practical tip

Back up your keyboard preset alongside PowerGrades, LUTs and other workstation settings.

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.

Summary

A good keyboard preset is a small, stable set of high-frequency actions that matches your workflow and can be moved between workstations.

Keyboard shortcuts by topic

For a deeper explanation of a specific group of commands, open the corresponding shortcut guide below.

All DaVinci Resolve keyboard shortcuts — Core shortcuts and links to every section of the reference.
DaVinci Resolve Playback and Navigation Shortcuts: J, K, L and Frame Control — Drive the viewer and timeline without the mouse: Space, arrow keys, J/K/L, slow playback and In/Out marks.
DaVinci Resolve Cutting and Trim Keyboard Shortcuts — Ctrl/Cmd+B, Blade, Trim Start/End to Playhead and ripple behavior without constant tool switching.
DaVinci Resolve Timeline Shortcuts: Overwrite, Place on Top, Clips and Gaps — Structural timeline commands: F10, F12, Enable Clip, Insert versus Overwrite and gap cleanup.
How to Undo in DaVinci Resolve: Undo, Redo and History — Ctrl+Z / Cmd+Z, Redo, History and why undo behavior can differ across Resolve pages.