Toggle Hold Keyframes Shortcut in After Effects

Hold keyframes freeze a layer's property value until the playhead reaches the next keyframe, eliminating gradual interpolation between two points. This guide provides the exact keyboard shortcuts for both Windows and macOS to instantly toggle hold keyframes on and off in Adobe After Effects, along with a quick breakdown of how to apply them directly to your timeline.

The Keyboard Shortcuts

To toggle hold keyframes using keyboard shortcuts, select one or more keyframes in the timeline and press:

  • Windows: Ctrl + Alt + H
  • macOS: Command + Option + H

Alternatively, you can toggle a keyframe into a hold keyframe using a modifier click:

  • Windows: Hold Ctrl + Alt and click directly on the keyframe icon.
  • macOS: Hold Command + Option and click directly on the keyframe icon.

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Select the Target Keyframe(s): In the Timeline panel, reveal your animated property (such as Position, Scale, or Rotation) and click on the keyframe you want to modify. You can select multiple keyframes by dragging a marquee over them or by holding Shift while clicking.
  2. Apply the Shortcut: Press Ctrl + Alt + H (Windows) or Command + Option + H (macOS).
  3. Verify the Change: The standard diamond-shaped keyframe icon will change into a square (or a half-square), indicating that it is now a hold keyframe. The property will now jump abruptly from one value to the next rather than smoothly interpolating.

How to Toggle Off a Hold Keyframe

To revert a hold keyframe back to standard interpolation (Linear or Bezier):

  1. Select the hold keyframe(s).
  2. Press the same shortcut again (Ctrl + Alt + H on Windows or Command + Option + H on macOS).
  3. Alternatively, hold Ctrl (Windows) or Command (macOS) and click the keyframe icon to cycle through the standard interpolation modes until it returns to a regular diamond icon.