How to Add a Marker in After Effects (2 Easy Methods)

Trying to stay organized while editing in After Effects? Markers can seriously help with that. Whether you're syncing animation to music or just need reminders for key moments, adding markers makes your workflow smoother.

Here’s how you can do it quickly, without digging through menus every time.

1. Add a Marker Using Keyboard Shortcuts

This is the fastest way, and once you get used to it, you'll probably never go back.

1. Move your playhead to the spot where you want the marker.
2. To add a marker on the timeline, press * on the numeric keypad (Windows and Mac).
3. To add a marker on a specific layer, select the layer first, then press * on the numeric keypad.

If you're using a laptop without a numeric keypad, you can remap this shortcut or use the menu method below.

2. Add a Marker Through the Menu

If you're not into shortcuts yet, no worries. You can still do it manually:

1. Select either your composition timeline or a specific layer.
2. Go to the top menu: Layer > Markers > Add Marker.
3. Double-click that marker if you want to name it or leave notes.

Bonus Tip: Label Your Markers

Markers aren’t just for looks. You can double-click any marker to open its settings. From there, you can:

1. Give it a name like “Music Starts Here” or “Add Text Here”.
2. Leave comments for yourself or collaborators.
3. Set duration if you're marking an event window (like music cues).

This is super helpful when you're working on complex timelines or collaborating with others.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to create a marker in After Effects?

You can create a marker by pressing * on your numeric keypad while your playhead is at the desired spot. If you don’t have a keypad, go to Layer > Markers > Add Marker from the top menu.

How do you add a point in After Effects?

If by "point" you mean a marker or reference spot, press * on your numeric keypad at any point on the timeline. This adds a visible marker that helps track key moments in your project.

How do I add a marker in Adobe?

In Adobe After Effects, press * on the numeric keypad to add a marker at the current playhead position. You can also go through Layer > Markers > Add Marker if you prefer using menus instead of shortcuts.

How to mark in and out in After Effects?

To set In and Out points:

1. Move playhead where you want In point and press B.
2. Move playhead where you want Out point and press N.

This defines your work area between those two points for rendering or previewing.