| 1. Manage Files and Projects | |
|---|---|
| Ctrl+N | Create new project using the Wizard |
| Ctrl+Alt+n | Create new project, file, class, etc. |
| Alt+f, then . | Open project, file, etc. |
| Ctrl+Shift+r | Open Ressource (file, folder or project) |
| Alt+Enter | Show and access file properties |
| Ctrl+s | Save current file |
| Ctrl+Shift+s | Save all files |
| Ctrl+w | Close current file |
| Ctrl+Shift+w | Close all files |
| F5 | Refresh content of selected element with local file system |
▲ up
 2. Editor Window | |
|---|---|
| Focus/ cursor must be in Editor Window for these to work. | |
| F12 | Jump to Editor Window |
| Ctrl+Page Down/Ctrl+Page Up | Switch to next editor / switch to previous editor |
| Ctrl+m | Maximize or un-maximize current Editor Window (also works for other Windows) |
| Ctrl+e | Show list of open Editors. Use arrow keys and enter to switch |
| Ctrl+F6/Ctrl+Shift+F6 | Show list of open Editors. Similar to ctrl+e but switches immediately upon release of ctrl |
| Alt+Arrow Left/Alt+Arrow Right | Go to previous / go to next Editor Window |
| Alt+- | Open Editor Window Option menu |
| Ctrl+F10 | Show view menu (features available on left vertical bar: breakpoints, bookmarks, line numbers, …) |
| Ctrl+F10, then n | Show or hide line numbers |
| Ctrl+Shift+q | Show or hide the diff column on the left (indicates changes since last save) |
▲ up
| 3. Navigate in Editor | |
|---|---|
| Home/End | Jump to beginning / jump to end of indention. Press home twice to jump to beginning of line |
| Ctrl+Home/End | Jump to beginning / jump to end of source |
| Ctrl+Arrow Right/Arrow Left | Jump one word to the left / one word to the right |
| Ctrl+Shift+Arrow Down/Arrow Up | Jump to previous / jump to next method |
| Ctrl+l | Jump to Line Number. To hide/show line numbers, press ctrl+F10 and select 'Show Line Numbers' |
| Ctrl+q | Jump to last location edited |
| Ctrl+./Ctrl+, | Jump to next / jump to previous compiler syntax warning or error |
| Ctrl+Shift+p | With a bracket selected: jump to the matching closing or opening bracket |
| Ctrl+[+]/Ctrl+- on numeric keyboard | Collapse / Expand current method or class |
| Ctrl+[/]/Ctrl+* on numeric keyboard | Collapse / Expand all methods or classes |
| Ctrl+Arrow Down/Ctrl+Arrow Up | Scroll Editor without changing cursor position |
▲ up
| 4. Select Text | |
|---|---|
| Shift+Arrow Right/Arrow Left | Expand selection by one character to the left / to the right |
| Ctrl+Shift+Arrow Right/Arrow Left | Expand selection to next / previous word |
| Shift+Arrow Down/Arrow Up | Expand selection by one line down / one line up |
| Shift+End/Home | Expand selection to end / to beginning of line |
| Ctrl+a | Select all |
| Alt+Shift+Arrow Up | Expand selection to current element (e.g. current one-line expression or content within brackets) |
| Alt+Shift+Arrow Left/Arrow Right | Expand selection to next / previous element |
| Alt+Shift+Arrow Down | Reduce previously expanded selection by one step |
▲ up
| 5. Edit Text | |
|---|---|
| Ctrl+c/Ctrl+x/Ctrl+v | Cut, copy and paste |
| Ctrl+z | Undo last action |
| Ctrl+y | Redo last (undone) action |
| Ctrl+d | Delete Line |
| Alt+Arrow Up/Arrow Down | Move current line or selection up or down |
| Ctrl+Alt+Arrow Up / Ctrl+Alt+Arrow Down / | Duplicate current line or selection up or down |
| Ctrl+Delete | Delete next word |
| Ctrl+Backspace | Delete previous word |
| Shift+Enter | Enter line below current line |
| Shift+Ctrl+Enter | Enter line above current line |
| Insert | Switch between insert and overwrite mode |
| Shift+Ctrl+y | Change selection to all lower case |
| Shift+Ctrl+x | Change selection to all upper case |
▲ up
| 6. Search and Replace | |
|---|---|
| Ctrl+f | Open find and replace dialog |
| Ctrl+k/Ctrl+Shift+k | Find previous / find next occurrence of search term (close find window first) |
| Ctrl+h | Search Workspace (Java Search, Task Search, and File Search) |
| Ctrl+j/Ctrl+Shift+j | Incremental search forward / backwards. Type search term after pressing ctrl+j, there is now search window |
| Ctrl + Shift + o | Open a resource search dialog to find any class |
▲ up
| 7. Indentions and Comments | |
|---|---|
| Tab/Shift+Tab | Increase / decrease indent of selected text |
| Ctrl+i | Correct indention of selected text or of current line |
| Ctrl+shift+f | Autoformat all code in Editor using code formatter |
| Ctrl+/ | Comment / uncomment line or selection ( adds '//' ) |
| Ctrl+Shift+/ | Add Block Comment around selection ( adds '/... */' ) |
| Ctrl+Shift+\ | Remove Block Comment |
| Alt+Shift+j | Add Element Comment ( adds '/** ... */') |
▲ up
| 8. Editing Source Code | |
|---|---|
| Ctrl+Space | Opens Content Assist (e.g. show available methods or field names) |
| Ctrl+1 | Open Quick Fix and Quick Assist |
| Alt+/ | Propose word completion (after typing at least one letter). Repeatedly press alt+/ until reaching correct name |
| Ctrl+Shift+Insert | Deactivate or activate Smart Insert Mode (automatic indention, automatic brackets, etc.) |
▲ up
| 9. Code Information | |
|---|---|
| Ctrl+o | Show code outline / structure |
| F2 | Open class, method, or variable information (tooltip text) |
| F3 | Open Declaration: Jump to Declaration of selected class, method, or parameter |
| F4 | Open Type Hierarchy window for selected item |
| Ctrl+t | Show / open Quick Type Hierarchy for selected item |
| Ctrl+Shift+t | Open Type in Hierarchy |
| Ctrl+Alt+h | Open Call Hierarchy |
| Ctrl+u | Find occurrences of expression in current file |
| Ctrl+move over method | Open Declaration or Implementation |
▲ up
| 10. Refactoring | |
|---|---|
| Alt+Shift+r | Rename selected element and all references |
| Alt+Shift+v | Move selected element to other class or file (With complete method or class selected) |
| Ctrl+Shift+c | Change method signature (with method name selected) |
| Alt+Shift+m | Extract selection to method |
| Alt+Shift+l | Extract local variable: Create and assigns a variable from a selected expression |
| Alt+Shift+i | Inline selected local variables, methods, or constants if possible (replaces variable with its declarations/ assignment and puts it directly into the statements) |
▲ up
| 11. Run and Debug | |
|---|---|
| Ctrl+F11 | Save and launch application (run) |
| F11 | Debug |
| F5 | Step Into function |
| F6 | Next step (line by line) |
| F7 | Step out |
| F8 | Skip to next Breakpoint |
▲ up
| 12. The Rest | |
|---|---|
| Ctrl+F7/Ctrl+Shift+F7 | Switch forward / backward between views (panels). Useful for switching back and forth between Package Explorer and Editor. |
| Ctrl+F8/Ctrl+Shift+F8 | Switch forward / backward between perspectives |
| Ctrl+p | |
| F1 | Open Eclipse Help |
CTRL + D
Delete row. Try it! You no more need to grab the mouse and select the line, no more Home, Shift + End, Delete. Quick and clean.
Delete row. Try it! You no more need to grab the mouse and select the line, no more Home, Shift + End, Delete. Quick and clean.
ALT + Up/Down Arrow
Move the row (or the entire selection) up or down. Very useful when rearranging code. You can even select more rows and move them all. Notice, that it will be always correctly indented.
Move the row (or the entire selection) up or down. Very useful when rearranging code. You can even select more rows and move them all. Notice, that it will be always correctly indented.
ALT + Left/Right Arrow
Move to the last location you edited. Imagine you just created a class Foo, and now you are working on a class Boo. Now, if you need to look at the Foo class, just press Alt+Left Arrow. Alt+Right Arrow brings you back to Boo.
CTRL+SHIFT+O
Organize imports. What happens when you first use a class you have not yet imported? You will see an error. But when you press this magical combination, all your missing classes will be imported, and the unused imports will vanish.
CTRL+1
Probably the most useful one. It activates the quick fix. Imagine you create a class, which implements some interface. You will get an error, because the inherited methods are not yet implemented. While you are on line where the error occurs, press this combination to activate the quick fix. Now, select the "Add unimplemented methods" option. You can use the quick fix at every error you ever receive.
Move to the last location you edited. Imagine you just created a class Foo, and now you are working on a class Boo. Now, if you need to look at the Foo class, just press Alt+Left Arrow. Alt+Right Arrow brings you back to Boo.
CTRL+SHIFT+O
Organize imports. What happens when you first use a class you have not yet imported? You will see an error. But when you press this magical combination, all your missing classes will be imported, and the unused imports will vanish.
CTRL+1
Probably the most useful one. It activates the quick fix. Imagine you create a class, which implements some interface. You will get an error, because the inherited methods are not yet implemented. While you are on line where the error occurs, press this combination to activate the quick fix. Now, select the "Add unimplemented methods" option. You can use the quick fix at every error you ever receive.
Quick fix comes handy in other situations too. My favorite is the "Split variable declaration". Sometimes I need to broaden the scope of a variable. I activate the quick fix, split declaration, and use alt + arrow to put it where it belongs. You can find even more usages: Convert local variable to field, rename in file, Inline local variable..
You could use the "Split variable declaration" on the bar variable, and then move it with Alt+Arrows above the try block..
Or you could use the "Add unimplemented methods" fix here.
The best thing you can do if you see an error is to use the quick fix.
CTRL+SHIFT+T
Open Type. Imagine, that you need to have a look at the Foo class. But, where is the Foo class? Is it in the Boo project and in the foo.bar package? Or somewhere else? With this shortcut, you don't need to know. Just press it, type Foo and you are in.
Open Type. Imagine, that you need to have a look at the Foo class. But, where is the Foo class? Is it in the Boo project and in the foo.bar package? Or somewhere else? With this shortcut, you don't need to know. Just press it, type Foo and you are in.
CTRL+E
Shows you a list of all open editors.
Shows you a list of all open editors.
CTRL+F6
Use to move between open editors. This is an slower alternative to Ctrl + E. Comes handy in a situation when you want to periodically switch between two editors, something, what is nearly impossible with Ctrl+E as it sorts entries quite randomly. Or you might just use Alt+Arrows..
CTRL+F7
Move between views. When in editor, press Ctrl+F7 to switch to the Package Explorer, or hold Ctrl and press F7 multiple times to switch to other views.
CTRL+F8
Move between perspectives. The same as previous.
CTRL + F11
Runs the application. What gets launched depends on your settings. It will either launch the last launched class (my preffered way) or it will launch currently selected resource (the default way). If you want to change its behavior read the previous post.
CTL + N
Open new type wizard. This is not very quick because you have to select the wizard type (weather you want to create new class, jsp, xml or something else) in the next step. Much faster way would be if you could just hit the shortcut and invoke the particular wizard. It is possible, just keep reading..
CTRL + M
Maximize or umaximize current tab.
CTRL + I
Corrects indentation.
CTRL + SHIFT + F
Formats code. You can make a beautiful looking code out of a mess with this. It requires a bit of setup, but it is well worth it. You can find its settings under Window->Preferences->Java->Code style->Formatter
CTRL + J
Incremental search. Similar to the search in firefox. It shows you results as you type. Don't be surprised, if you hit this combination, nothing happens - at the first glance. Just start typing and eclipse will move your cursor to the first ocurence.
CTRL + SHIFT + L
Shows you a list of your currently defined shortcut keys.
I don't like your shortcuts
Such is life nowadays. Remember, you can always change those bindings to match your preferences. Open Windows->Preferences->General->Keys. Now you can use the filter to find your shortcut and change its binding.
The real fun begins when you cannot find the command you are looking for. The key here, is to have the "Include unbounds commands" checkbox checked. It will show you all commands, even those, which have no keys bound.
The real fun begins when you cannot find the command you are looking for. The key here, is to have the "Include unbounds commands" checkbox checked. It will show you all commands, even those, which have no keys bound.
While you are here, I recommend to add the following bindings:
CTRL+SHIFT+G
Bind this to "Generate getters and setters". This is a "must have".
ALT+C
Bind this to SVN/CVS "Commit".
ALT+U
Bind this to SVN/CVS "Update".
Now, type "new" (without quotes) in the filter text. You should see a list of all new type wizards. Choose the most frequently used and assign them a shortcut. For example, the most used wizard for me is the new class wizard. Thus I assigned it the CTRL+SHIFT+N keys.
Let me demonstrate a quick way to create new class now.
Hit CTRL + SHIFT + N (or the combination you assigned in the previous step). This should bring up new class wizard. Type in the name and press ALT+E. You can now select a class which will be a superclass for the newly created class. Hit ALT+A and select all implemented interfaces . Now hitALT+F and your class will be generated. Eclipse will also provide the default implementation for all abstract and interface methods you inherited.
Did you notice the weird underscores everywhere in the dialog? They give you a hint about the shortcut key. Hit ALT and the underlined letter to press the button, check the checkbox or get focus for a textfield.
CTRL+SHIFT+G
Bind this to "Generate getters and setters". This is a "must have".
ALT+C
Bind this to SVN/CVS "Commit".
ALT+U
Bind this to SVN/CVS "Update".
Now, type "new" (without quotes) in the filter text. You should see a list of all new type wizards. Choose the most frequently used and assign them a shortcut. For example, the most used wizard for me is the new class wizard. Thus I assigned it the CTRL+SHIFT+N keys.
Let me demonstrate a quick way to create new class now.
Hit CTRL + SHIFT + N (or the combination you assigned in the previous step). This should bring up new class wizard. Type in the name and press ALT+E. You can now select a class which will be a superclass for the newly created class. Hit ALT+A and select all implemented interfaces . Now hitALT+F and your class will be generated. Eclipse will also provide the default implementation for all abstract and interface methods you inherited.
Did you notice the weird underscores everywhere in the dialog? They give you a hint about the shortcut key. Hit ALT and the underlined letter to press the button, check the checkbox or get focus for a textfield.
Did you notice the underscores?
I think that using shortcut keys is the fastest way to productivity and if not, then at least your wrists will say you a silent thanks. Now, don't wait, go on and assign keys to the features you use most.
I think that using shortcut keys is the fastest way to productivity and if not, then at least your wrists will say you a silent thanks. Now, don't wait, go on and assign keys to the features you use most.
One final tip from Andriy:
The problem is that there are so many keyboard shortcuts. I used to keep a printout with all the shortcuts I wanted to use. Finally I wrote an Eclipse plugin MouseFeed, which reminds the keyboard shortcuts for the actions called with mouse. You can even tell it to enforce some shortcuts - the action will run only if called with a keyboard shortcut.
So if you are struggling with yourself, if you want to use shortcuts, but always subconsciously touch the mouse, install the plugin and let it enforce the shortcuts - the mouse will be useless and you will be forced to use keyboard.
What shortcuts do you use?
(Note: Opinions expressed in this article and its replies are the opinions of their respective authors and not those of DZone, Inc.)
Comments
Mark Haniford replied on Fri, 2008/02/15 - 7:48am
Cole Markham replied on Fri, 2008/02/15 - 10:15am