Final Cut Pro terms

Mark In and Out

Setting the start and end points for a clip or sequence.

What is mark in and out in Final Cut Pro?

Mark In and Mark Out in Final Cut Pro are editing tools used to select a specific portion of a video clip or audio file for editing or exporting. The Mark In point, also known as the 'I' point, is where you want the selected portion to begin. Conversely, the Mark Out point, also known as the 'O' point, is where you want the selected portion to end. These points can be set manually by the user during the editing process.

By setting these points, users can isolate a specific section of their footage for detailed editing without affecting the rest of the clip. This is particularly useful for long clips where only a small section needs to be edited or exported. Once the In and Out points are marked, any applied edits or effects will only impact the marked section, leaving the rest of the clip untouched.

How to set In and Out points in Final Cut Pro?

In Final Cut Pro, setting In and Out points is a simple process that allows you to select a specific portion of a clip for editing. To set an In point, first, move the playhead to the start of the section you want to edit. Then, either click on the 'Mark' menu and select 'Mark In', or simply press 'I' on your keyboard.

To set an Out point, move the playhead to the end of the section you want to edit. Click on the 'Mark' menu and select 'Mark Out', or press 'O' on your keyboard. Now, the section between the In and Out points is selected for editing. You can adjust these points as needed by dragging them along the timeline or by repeating the process.

What is the shortcut for Mark In and Out in Final Cut Pro?

In Final Cut Pro, the shortcut for marking an In point is "I" and for marking an Out point is "O". These shortcuts are used during the editing process to select a specific portion of a clip. By pressing "I", you set the start point of the section you want to include in your final video, and by pressing "O", you set the end point of that section.

To use these shortcuts, you first need to select the clip you want to edit. Then, you can play the clip or manually scrub through it to find the exact point where you want to start your selection. Once you've found the right spot, press "I" to mark it as your In point. Continue playing or scrubbing through the clip until you find where you want your selection to end, then press "O" to mark your Out point. This selected portion can then be inserted into your project timeline for further editing.

How to remove In and Out points in Final Cut Pro?

In Final Cut Pro, removing In and Out points is a straightforward process. First, open the project and select the clip that has the In and Out points you want to remove. The In and Out points are represented by a yellow border in the timeline.

To remove these points, you can simply go to the "Mark" menu at the top of the screen, then select "Clear In and Out" from the dropdown menu. Alternatively, you can use the shortcut keys Option+X. This will immediately remove the In and Out points from the selected clip. Remember, this action is reversible, so if you accidentally remove these points, you can always undo the action by pressing Command+Z.

If you use Final Cut Pro...

You should try Tella.tv - a screen recorder that doesn't compromise on speed or creativity.

Tella simplifies video creation: record, customize, and share in one place; combine separate clips and quickly remove mistakes; apply beautiful backgrounds, layouts, and effects with just a few clicks; share the video link or export in 4K.

With Tella, create product demos, tutorial videos, and online courses that look amazing in minutes, not hours!

Tella screen recorder

< Back to Final Cut Pro glossary

Try Tella today!

Screen recording for creators — simple and powerful.

7-day free trial — no credit card required