---
title: "Editor keyboard shortcuts"
canonical_url: https://docs.zvid.io/docs/editor/shortcuts/
source: docs/editor/shortcuts.md
content_revision: 6338386a1dd87e4a
---

# Editor keyboard shortcuts

Use shortcuts to move through the timeline and edit a composition without repeatedly opening menus.

## How to open the shortcut reference

**Navigation:** **Editor → Keyboard shortcuts (?)**; on compact screens, **More editor actions → Shortcuts**.

1. Click the keyboard icon or press **?** outside a text field.
2. Review **Playback**, **Editing**, and **View**.
3. Press Escape to close the dialog.

![Zvid Keyboard shortcuts dialog listing Playback, Editing, and View shortcuts.](https://docs.zvid.io/img/dashboard-guide/editor-shortcuts.png)

## Playback

| Shortcut     | Action                                                              |
| ------------ | ------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Space        | Play or pause.                                                      |
| Left / Right | Step one frame when no element is selected; Shift steps one second. |
| Home / End   | Jump to the previous or next content start point.                   |
| L            | Toggle preview loop.                                                |
| M            | Toggle preview mute.                                                |

With an element selected, arrow keys move it instead of stepping through frames. Use the visible **Previous frame** and **Next frame** controls when you want frame stepping without clearing the selection.

## Editing

| Shortcut                               | Action                                                         |
| -------------------------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Ctrl+Z                                 | Undo a local project edit.                                     |
| Ctrl+Y or Ctrl+Shift+Z                 | Redo a local project edit.                                     |
| Ctrl+D                                 | Duplicate the selection.                                       |
| Delete                                 | Delete the selection.                                          |
| S                                      | Split the selected clip at the playhead when a split is valid. |
| Shift+click                            | Add or remove an element from a stage selection.               |
| Arrow keys                             | Nudge a selected element by one pixel; Shift uses ten pixels.  |
| Double-click or Enter on selected text | Edit text in place on the canvas.                              |

## Project and view

| Shortcut               | Action                                         |
| ---------------------- | ---------------------------------------------- |
| Ctrl+scroll            | Zoom the canvas or timeline under the pointer. |
| Ctrl+Plus / Ctrl+Minus | Zoom the timeline.                             |
| Escape                 | Clear selection or close a dialog.             |
| ?                      | Open the shortcut dialog.                      |

The editor recognizes the platform modifier key for supported commands, including Command on macOS. Keyboard actions are kept inside active dialogs; text fields retain their normal typing behavior.

> **Selected text can start typing**
When an editable text element is selected, printable keys such as S, L, M, or ? can start inline text editing. Clear the text selection first, or use the corresponding visible control.

## Touch and pointer alternatives

Use the visible playback buttons, **Selected element actions**, **More editor actions**, and **Pan canvas** when a keyboard is unavailable. **Undo** and **Redo** are available in the top bar or compact actions menu.

## Important notes

Undo applies to local composition edits. It does not restore deleted account uploads, cloud project records, or saved design-library entries. Save or export a copy before major changes.

## Related documentation

- [Editor overview](https://docs.zvid.io/docs/editor/overview/)
- [Timeline and timing](https://docs.zvid.io/docs/editor/timeline/)
- [Canvas positioning](https://docs.zvid.io/docs/editor/canvas/)
- [Save projects](https://docs.zvid.io/docs/editor/projects/)