Where to find the keyboard shortcut settings

Open DaVinci Resolve and go to DaVinci Resolve > Keyboard Customization on Mac, or File > Keyboard Customization on Windows and Linux. A window will open showing every command in the software organized by category — Edit, Color, Fusion, and so on. This is where you change, add, or remove any keyboard shortcut.

The list is long. Use the search box at the top to find the command you want to rebind. Type the name of the tool or action — for example, "export," "undo," or "play" — and the window will filter to show matching commands.

Key Takeaways

  • Keyboard customization opens from the top menu and shows every command in DaVinci Resolve organized by category.
  • Click the key field next to any command, then press the keys you want to use; the software will show you if that shortcut is already in use.
  • You can assign the same shortcut to different commands in different modules — for example, one shortcut in Edit and the same shortcut in Color.
  • Save your custom layout as a preset so you can load it on another computer or restore it if you reinstall the software.
  • Reset individual shortcuts to default or wipe all changes at once using the buttons at the bottom of the window.

How to assign a new shortcut to a command

Find the command you want to rebind in the list. Click the key field to the right of the command name — it will show the current shortcut or be empty if none exists. The field will turn blue and wait for input.

Press the key combination you want to use. You can use single keys (like X), modifier keys plus a letter (like Ctrl+Shift+X), or function keys (like F7). As soon as you press the keys, DaVinci Resolve will show you whether that shortcut is already assigned to another command. If it is, you will see a warning telling you which command owns it. You can overwrite it or choose a different combination.

Once you press the keys and see no conflict, the shortcut is saved when ready. You do not need to click a separate save button for each shortcut.

What to do if a shortcut is already taken

When you try to assign a shortcut that is already in use, DaVinci Resolve will tell you which command currently owns it. You have three choices: use a different key combination, overwrite the existing shortcut (which will remove it from the other command), or leave it as is and try again with new keys.

If you overwrite a shortcut, the old command loses that binding. You can always reassign it a different shortcut afterward, or reset everything to default and start over. Many editors keep a notepad open while customizing so they can track which shortcuts they have already assigned.

Saving and loading custom keyboard layouts

Once you have finished customizing your shortcuts, save the layout as a preset. At the bottom of the Keyboard Customization window, click Save Keyboard Layout. Give it a name — for example, "My Custom Layout" or "Editing Shortcuts" — and choose where to save it. DaVinci Resolve will store it as a file on your computer.

To load a saved layout on the same computer or a different one, open Keyboard Customization again and click Load Keyboard Layout. Browse to the file you saved and select it. All your custom shortcuts will load when ready. This is useful if you work on multiple machines or want to back up your settings before reinstalling the software.

Using different shortcuts in different modules

DaVinci Resolve is divided into modules — Edit, Color, Fusion, Fairlight, and Cut. You can assign the same keyboard shortcut to different commands in different modules without conflict. For example, you could bind Ctrl+1 to "Snap to Grid" in the Edit module and Ctrl+1 to "Show Nodes" in the Fusion module.

When you are customizing, you will see the module name next to each command. If you want a shortcut to work only in one module, make sure you are editing the command in that module's section. If you want a shortcut to work everywhere, look for commands listed under "Global" or "All Modules."

Resetting shortcuts to default

If you want to undo your changes, you have two options. To reset a single shortcut, find the command in the list, click its key field, and press the Delete or Backspace key. The shortcut will be removed, and the command will revert to its default binding (if one exists).

To reset all shortcuts at once, click the Reset All button at the bottom of the Keyboard Customization window. DaVinci Resolve will ask you to confirm. Once you confirm, every shortcut returns to factory default. You cannot undo this action, so save your custom layout first if you think you might want it back.

Common shortcuts people change first

Editors often rebind shortcuts to match other software they use. If you are coming from Premiere Pro, you might want to change DaVinci Resolve's shortcuts to match Premiere's layout. Common changes include reassigning play/pause, in and out points, and timeline navigation.

Search for "play," "pause," "in point," "out point," or "next clip" to find these commands quickly. You can also search by the current shortcut — for example, typing "Space" in the search box will show you every command bound to the spacebar, so you can see what you would be overwriting before you change it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use the same shortcut for two different commands?

Not in the same module. If you try to assign a shortcut that is already in use, DaVinci Resolve will warn you and ask if you want to overwrite it. You can use the same shortcut in different modules without conflict — for example, one shortcut in Edit and the same shortcut in Color.

Where does DaVinci Resolve save my custom keyboard layout?

When you save a layout, you choose the location. Most users save to their Documents folder or Desktop for straightforward access. The file is a plain text file that you can move, copy, or email to another editor. To use it on another computer, open Keyboard Customization and load the file from its new location.

What happens to my shortcuts if I update DaVinci Resolve?

Your custom shortcuts usually survive updates, but it is not may provide. Before updating, save your keyboard layout as a preset. After the update, if your shortcuts are gone, you can reload the preset file. If new commands have been added to the software, they will use their default shortcuts.

Can I see what shortcut a command already has without changing it?

Yes. Open Keyboard Customization and search for the command by name. The current shortcut will be shown in the key field next to it. You can also search by shortcut — for example, typing "Ctrl+Z" will show you which command owns that shortcut.

Is there a way to print my custom shortcuts so I can remember them?

DaVinci Resolve does not have a built-in print function for shortcuts, but you can take a screenshot of the Keyboard Customization window or export the layout file and open it in a text editor to see the list. Many editors create a straightforward text document or spreadsheet listing their most-used shortcuts for quick reference.