Pro Tools keyboard shortcuts

Search and shortcut focus

Open Pro Tools search, inspect shortcut assignments, and enable command focus in the Edit or Groups List window.

Action	Windows	macOS
Enable or disable Edit window Commands Keyboard Focus	`CtrlAlt1`	`CmdOption1`
Move keyboard focus to the Groups List	`CtrlAlt3`	`CmdOption3`
Open Pro Tools Search	`StartShiftS`	`ControlShiftS`
Open the Keyboard Shortcuts window	`StartShiftK`	`ControlShiftK`
Execute the selected search result	`Return`	`Return`
Move through search resultsDown Arrow moves in the opposite direction.	`Up Arrow`	`Up Arrow`

Start, stop, loop, pause, and move playback around the Edit selection with these Pro Tools transport commands.

Action	Windows	macOS
Start or stop playback	`Space`	`Space`
Play at half speed	`ShiftSpace`	`ShiftSpace`
Pause and pre-prime the deck	`StartSpace`	`ControlSpace`
Enable or disable online playback	`CtrlJ`	`CmdJ`
Play the Edit selection	`Alt[`	`Option[`
Toggle loop playback	`CtrlShiftL`	`CmdShiftL`
Toggle Dynamic Transport Mode	`CtrlStartP`	`CmdControlP`
Toggle the transport master	`Ctrl\`	`Cmd\`
Center on the selection start or endRight Arrow centers on the opposite end when the selection exceeds the window.	`Left Arrow`	`Left Arrow`

Start and stop recording, switch recording modes, and set loop or punch behavior from the Pro Tools transport.

Action	Windows	macOS
Start recordingF12 and numeric keypad 3 are also documented alternatives.	`CtrlSpace`	`CmdSpace`
Stop recording and discard the take	`Ctrl.`	`Cmd.`
Record at half speedShift+F12 is also documented.	`CtrlShiftSpace`	`CmdShiftSpace`
Enable or disable online record	`CtrlAltSpace`	`CmdOptionSpace`
Toggle loop record	`AltL`	`OptionL`
Toggle TrackPunchAvailable in Pro Tools Ultimate only.	`CtrlShiftT`	`CmdShiftT`
Toggle QuickPunch	`CtrlShiftP`	`CmdShiftP`
Play or stop in numeric keypad transport modeSelect Numeric Keypad: Transport in Operations Preferences first.	`0`	`0`
Rewind in numeric keypad transport mode	`1`	`1`
Fast forward in numeric keypad transport mode	`2`	`2`
Enable recording in numeric keypad transport mode	`3`	`3`
Toggle loop playback in numeric keypad transport mode	`4`	`4`
Toggle loop record in numeric keypad transport mode	`5`	`5`
Toggle QuickPunch in numeric keypad transport mode	`6`	`6`
Toggle click in numeric keypad transport mode	`7`	`7`
Toggle countoff in numeric keypad transport mode	`8`	`8`
Toggle MIDI Merge or Replace in numeric keypad transport mode	`9`	`9`

Choose an Edit mode or tool, cycle modes, and switch Snap to Grid with the computer-keyboard commands in the Avid guide.

Action	Windows	macOS
Use Shuffle mode	`F1`	`F1`
Use Slip mode	`F2`	`F2`
Use Spot mode	`F3`	`F3`
Use Grid mode	`F4`	`F4`
Enable Snap to Grid while in another Edit mode	`ShiftF4`	`ShiftF4`
Cycle through Edit modes	`'`	`'`
Cycle through Edit tools	`Escape`	`Escape`
Use the Zoomer tool	`F5`	`F5`
Use the Trimmer tool	`F6`	`F6`
Use the Selector tool	`F7`	`F7`
Use the Grabber tool	`F8`	`F8`
Use the Scrubber tool	`F9`	`F9`
Use the Pencil tool	`F10`	`F10`
Use the Smart Tool	`Ctrl7`	`Cmd7`

Move the Edit cursor, extend selections, jump between clips, and return to session boundaries with the documented navigation keys.

Action	Windows	macOS
Enable or disable Tab to Transients	`CtrlAltT`	`CmdOptionTab`
Locate the cursor to the next transientTab to Transients must be enabled.	`Tab`	`Tab`
Locate the cursor to the previous transientTab to Transients must be enabled.	`CtrlTab`	`OptionTab`
Go to and select the next clip	`StartTab`	`CtrlTab`
Go to and select the previous clip	`CtrlStartTab`	`CtrlOptionTab`
Go to the song start	`StartEnter`	`CtrlReturn`
Return to the start of the session	`Enter`	`Return`
Go to the end of the session	`CtrlEnter`	`OptionReturn`
Extend the selection to the start of the session	`ShiftEnter`	`ShiftReturn`
Extend the selection to the end of the session	`CtrlShiftEnter`	`OptionShiftReturn`
Extend the selection to the next clip boundary	`ShiftTab`	`ShiftTab`
Extend the selection to the previous clip boundary	`CtrlShiftTab`	`OptionShiftTab`
Link Timeline and Edit selection	`Shift/`	`Shift/`
Link Track and Edit selection	`ShiftT`	`ShiftT`
Move insertion to the beginning of the Edit selection	`Down Arrow`	`Down Arrow`
Move insertion to the end of the Edit selection	`Up Arrow`	`Up Arrow`

Nudge selections, trim clips, duplicate clips, and remove playlist content with the current Edit window commands.

Action	Windows	macOS
Change the Grid value	`StartAlt+`	`ControlOption+`
Change the Nudge value	`CtrlAlt+`	`CmdOption+`
Nudge the Edit selection back	`Numpad -`	`Numpad -`
Nudge the Edit selection forward	`Numpad +`	`Numpad +`
Trim the left edge of a clip	`Alt+`	`Option+`
Trim the right edge of a clip	`Ctrl+`	`Cmd+`
Delete the selection in the playlistBackspace is also documented.	`Delete`	`Delete`
Snap a clip to the next clip	`AltStart.`	`OptionControl.`
Snap a clip to the previous clip	`AltStart,`	`OptionControl,`

Transpose MIDI notes, adjust velocity, move note selection, and edit clip gain with the Pro Tools editor shortcuts.

Action	Windows	macOS
Transpose a MIDI note up one semitone	`Up Arrow`	`Up Arrow`
Transpose a MIDI note down one semitone	`Down Arrow`	`Down Arrow`
Copy and transpose a MIDI note up one semitone	`AltUp Arrow`	`OptionUp Arrow`
Copy and transpose a MIDI note down one semitone	`AltDown Arrow`	`OptionDown Arrow`
Transpose a MIDI note up one octave	`ShiftUp Arrow`	`ShiftUp Arrow`
Transpose a MIDI note down one octave	`ShiftDown Arrow`	`ShiftDown Arrow`
Increase velocity by five	`CtrlUp Arrow`	`CmdUp Arrow`
Decrease velocity by five	`CtrlDown Arrow`	`CmdDown Arrow`
Show or hide the Clip Gain line	`StartShift-`	`ControlShift-`
Add a Clip Gain breakpoint	`StartShiftE`	`ControlShiftE`
Clear Clip Gain	`StartShiftB`	`ControlShiftB`
Cut Clip Gain	`StartShiftX`	`ControlShiftX`
Copy Clip Gain	`StartShiftC`	`ControlShiftC`

Open sessions, save work, and use the core Pro Tools menu commands from the dashboard and application menus.