Cheat sheet guide
After Effects shortcuts worth learning first
This page collects 32 searchable After Effects keyboard shortcuts across 4 categories. Start with the shortcuts for General, Composition And Preview, Layers, Timeline, then print the cheat sheet once the important ones are worth keeping nearby.
- Switch OS tabs for Windows, macOS, or Linux shortcuts.
- Use / to jump to search instantly.
- Use Compare mode when moving between machines.
- Print or save the page as a compact PDF cheat sheet.
General
8 shortcuts
New Project
Ctrl+Alt+N
WinCtrl+Alt+NMac⌘⌥N
Open Project
Ctrl+O
WinCtrl+OMac⌘O
Save Project
Ctrl+S
WinCtrl+SMac⌘S
Save As
Ctrl+Shift+S
WinCtrl+Shift+SMac⌘⇧S
Import File
Ctrl+I
WinCtrl+IMac⌘I
Undo
Ctrl+Z
WinCtrl+ZMac⌘Z
Redo
Ctrl+Shift+Z
WinCtrl+Shift+ZMac⌘⇧Z
Preferences
Ctrl+Alt+;
WinCtrl+Alt+;Mac⌘⌥;
Composition And Preview
8 shortcuts
New Composition
Ctrl+N
WinCtrl+NMac⌘N
Composition Settings
Ctrl+K
WinCtrl+KMac⌘K
Preview
Space
WinSpaceMacSpace
RAM Preview
Numpad0
WinNumpad0MacNumpad0
Fit Up To 100 Percent
Shift+/
WinShift+/Mac⇧/
Zoom In
.
Win.Mac.
Zoom Out
,
Win,Mac,
Show Grid
Ctrl+'
WinCtrl+'Mac⌘'
Layers
8 shortcuts
New Solid
Ctrl+Y
WinCtrl+YMac⌘Y
Duplicate Selected Layers
Ctrl+D
WinCtrl+DMac⌘D
Split Layer
Ctrl+Shift+D
WinCtrl+Shift+DMac⌘⇧D
Pre-compose
Ctrl+Shift+C
WinCtrl+Shift+CMac⌘⇧C
Reveal Position
P
WinPMacP
Reveal Scale
S
WinSMacS
Reveal Rotation
R
WinRMacR
Reveal Opacity
T
WinTMacT
Timeline
8 shortcuts
Move To Beginning
Home
WinHomeMacHome
Move To End
End
WinEndMacEnd
Move One Frame Back
PageUp
WinPageUpMacPageUp
Move One Frame Forward
PageDown
WinPageDownMacPageDown
Set In Point
[
Win[Mac[
Set Out Point
]
Win]Mac]
Add Marker
*
Win*Mac*
Reveal Keyframes
U
WinUMacU
Frequently asked questions
What is the fastest way to find After Effects shortcuts on this page?
Use the search box or press /, then type an action such as new project.
Can I print this After Effects shortcut cheat sheet?
Yes. Use the Print / PDF button or your browser print command to save a compact cheat sheet.
Does this page include Windows and Mac shortcuts for After Effects?
Yes. Use the OS tabs to switch between Windows and macOS shortcuts. For example, New Project is Ctrl+Alt+N on Windows and ⌘⌥N on macOS where available.
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