Setting Keyboard Shortcuts for the Source Editor

See Also

You can specify your own keyboard shortcuts for the Source Editor. Your shortcuts may be global settings that apply to all types of editors, or they may vary by editor type (for example, Java, Plain, HTML, and JSP).

Note Source Editor shortcuts are distinct from other IDE shortcuts, which can be customized by choosing Tools and choosing Keyboard Shortcuts from the main window.

This page describes how to set keyboard shortcuts for standard Source Editor actions. You can also use macros and abbreviations to provide shortcuts for typing frequently used keystroke combinations and strings.

To set a keyboard shortcut for the Source Editor:

  1. From the main window, choose Tools and choose Options and expand the Editing node.
  2. Select the Editor Settings node to set global keyboard shortcuts that apply to all types of editors. Alternatively, expand the Editor Settings node and select the editor type for which you want to set keyboard shortcuts.
  3. Select the Global Key Bindings or Key Bindings property, and click the ellipsis (...) button. The Key Bindings Property Editor appears.
  4. In the Actions list, select the keyboard shortcut assignment you want to specify, and click Add. The Add Keybinding dialog box is displayed.
  5. In the Shortcut Sequence text field, press the keys you want to use for the selected action.

    As you press the key sequence, the correct syntax for that sequence automatically appears in the text field. For example, if you press the Backspace key, the word "Backspace" appears. If you simultaneously hold down the Alt key, the Control key, and the J key, "Ctrl+Alt+J" appears.

    You can also use "multiple keystroke" bindings in the Source Editor (but not in other parts of the IDE). For example, the keyboard shortcut "Ctrl+Q Z" is invoked if you type Ctrl+Q, release the Ctrl and Q keys, and then type Z.

Tip If you are editing shortcuts for a specific editor type, shortcuts that appear dimmed in the Keybindings list are global shortcuts defined for all editor types. They can be edited by selecting the Editor Settings node in the Options window instead of the node for a particular type of editor.
See Also
Editor Shortcuts
Key Bindings Property Editor
Using Macros and Abbreviations
Setting Menu Shortcuts

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