IntelliJ IDEA Keyboard Shortcuts: IntelliJ IDEA is a unique Java platform that is often used for the purpose of developing various computer software. Developed by the renowned JetBrains, you can use this program across various operating systems, like Windows or Linux. If you are a new programmer, feel free to use this program because the ease of its use is unbeatable.
Do you know that you can also use this program for languages other than Java as well? Yes, you can use IntelliJ IDEA for JPQL, SQL and even HTML. So you must be intrigued to know that there are various keyboard shortcuts that you can use so that your program experience is even smoother. There are lots of keyboard shortcuts for IntelliJ IDEA that are related to its navigation, debugging, editing or refactoring features. If you memorize these hotkeys, it will no doubt save you lots of time and make you more productive!
Wondering How to explore & learn Shortcut Keys for various Operating Systems, Computer Software Programs, Social media applications Keyboards? Here is the one-stop destination for all Keyboard Shortcuts, just take a look & memorize regularly for better performance in competitive exams & real-time situations.
IntelliJ IDEA Keyboard Shortcuts
- Choosing The Right Keymap
- Learning The Shortcuts
- Using The Advanced Features
- Comparison Of Keyboard Shortcuts Between Various Keymaps
- Conclusion
Choosing The Right Keymap
Shortcuts in intellij: Choosing a proper keymap is quite crucial, and automatically IntelliJ IDEA suggests a keymap that I based on your computer environment. You must make sure before finalizing the keymap that the suggestion from IntelliJ IDEA matches your operating system. If it doesn’t match, then you have to use some other editor or IDE that actually suits your operating system.
You will always be able to modify any previous copy of the predefined keymap. This allows you to assign your own set of shortcuts for all the frequently used commands. The predefined keymaps are given below:
- Visual Studio or Visual Studio for macOS: The Visual Studio keymap is a perfect recommendation for you if you are a fresh starter and have no previous experience with any other IDEs. You can also use this keymap if you are accustomed to using the plain version of Visual Studio.
- IntelliJ (macOS): IntelliJ macOS is highly recommended for you if you have any earlier experience with the IntelliJ IDEA platform or any other platform of a similar type from JetBrains.
- ReSharper (macOS) or Resharper: The ReSharper keymap is a recommendation for you if you are familiar with Visual Studio.
Learning The Shortcuts
Intellij idea shortcuts: Given below are the most commonly used shortcuts in the IntelliJ IDEA platform:
| Shortcut | Action | Explanation |
| Double Shift | Search Everywhere | Quickly find a file, or any action, tool window, symbol. It is also applicable to find any setting in IntelliJ IDEA platform, or in your current project, and also in the current Git repository. |
| Alt+Enter | Show Context Actions | It is a quick fix for any highlighted errors or warnings. It is also a useful fix for any intention action for the purpose of improving and optimizing any code. |
| Ctrl+Shift+Enter | Complete Current Statement | Used for inserting any necessary trailing symbols. The symbol, after being inserted is put in the caret where you can start typing the next statement. |
| Ctrl+Shift+A | Find Action | To find any command and successfully execute it or to open a tool window or to search for any particular setting. |
| F2 | Navigate between code issues | |
| Shift+F2 | Jump to the next or previously highlighted error. | |
| Ctrl+Alt+L | Reformat Code | Reformat the entire file or any selected fragment of the file following the current style settings of the code. |
| Alt+1 | Focus the Project tool window | |
| Escape | Focus the editor | |
| Ctrl+W | Extend or shrink selection | |
| Ctrl+Shift+W | Increase or decrease the scope of selection according to specific code constructs. | |
| Alt+F7 | Find Usages | It shows all the places where you have used any code element in your project. |
| Ctrl+/ | Add/remove line or block comment | It is used to select or reopen a recently opened file, from the folders in the list. |
| Ctrl+Shift+/ | Comment out a line or block of code. | It is used to refactor any given element under the caret. For an example,copy, safe delete, rename, move, and many others. |
| Ctrl+B | Go To Declaration | Used to navigate to the initial or first declaration of the instantiated class, which is called method (also field). |
| Ctrl+E | View recent files | |
| Ctrl+Alt+Shift+T | Invoke refactoring |
Using The Advanced Features
Apart from the keyboard shortcuts given above, there are certainly other useful features which are for advanced programmers. These are as follows:
- Refactor: Crl+Alt+Shift+T
- VCS Operation: Alt+
- Vertical tool resize: Ctrl+Shift+Left or Ctrl+Shift+Right
- Horizontal tool resize: Ctrl+Shift+Up or Ctrl+Shift+Down
Comparison Of Keyboard Shortcuts Between Various Keymaps
Shortcuts for general operations:
| Command | Visual Studio | ReSharper | IntelliJ |
| Searching Everywhere | Double Shift | Double Shift | Double Shift |
| Find | Ctrl+Shift+A | Ctrl+Shift+A | Ctrl+Shift+A |
| Refactor | Ctrl+Shift+R | Ctrl+Shift+R | Ctrl+Alt+Shift+T |
| Open File or Folder | Ctrl+O | Ctrl+O | N/A |
| Show Intention Actions | Alt+Enter | Alt+Enter | Alt+Enter |
| Settings | Ctrl+Alt+S | Ctrl+Alt+S | Ctrl+Alt+S |
| Recent Files | Ctrl+Comma | Ctrl+E | Ctrl+E |
| Code Cleanup | Ctrl+E, C | Ctrl+Alt+F | N/A |
| Select | Alt+F1 | Alt+F1 | Alt+F1 |
| View Breakpoints | Ctrl+Alt+B | Ctrl+Shift+F8 | Ctrl+Shift+F8 |
| Generate | Alt+Insert | Alt+Insert | Alt+Insert |
| Build A Solution | Ctrl+Shift+B | Ctrl+Shift+B | Ctrl+F9 |
| Debug | Alt+Shift+F9 | Alt+Shift+F9 | Alt+Shift+F9 |
| Open a Solution or previous Project | Ctrl+Shift+O | Ctrl+Shift+O | Ctrl+Shift+O |
| Attach Process | Ctrl+Alt+P | Ctrl+Alt+F5 | Ctrl+Alt+F5 |
| Reformat Code | Ctrl+Alt+Enter | Ctrl+Alt+L | Ctrl+Alt+L |
| Inspect | Ctrl+Alt+Shift+A | Ctrl+Alt+Shift+A | Ctrl+Alt+Shift+A |
| Find Usages | Shift+F12 | Alt+F7 | Alt+F7 |
| Navigate | Alt+` | Ctrl+Shift+G | Ctrl+Shift+G |
| VCS Operations Popup | Ctrl+Alt+Q | Alt+` | Alt+` |
Shortcuts for Basic Editing
| Command | Visual Studio | ReSharper | IntelliJ |
| Cut | Ctrl+X | Ctrl+X | Ctrl+X |
| Copy | Ctrl+C | Ctrl+C | Ctrl+C |
| Paste | Ctrl+V | Ctrl+V | Ctrl+V |
| Paste as Plain Text | Ctrl+Alt+Shift+V | Ctrl+Alt+Shift+V | Ctrl+Alt+Shift+V |
| Paste from History… | Ctrl+Shift+V | Ctrl+Shift+V | Ctrl+Shift+V |
| Duplicate Line or Selection | Ctrl+D | Ctrl+D | Ctrl+D |
| Open source in new window | Shift+F4 | Shift+F4 | Shift+F4 |
| Copy Paths | Ctrl+Shift+C | Ctrl+Shift+C | Ctrl+Shift+C |
| Copy Reference | Ctrl+Alt+Shift+C | Ctrl+Alt+Shift+C | Ctrl+Alt+Shift+C |
| Save All | Ctrl+Shift+S | Ctrl+Shift+S | Ctrl+S |
| Delete Line | Ctrl+Shift+L | Ctrl+Shift+L | Ctrl+Y |
| Scratch File | Ctrl+Alt+Shift+Insert | Ctrl+Alt+Shift+Insert | Ctrl+Alt+Shift+Insert |
| Indent Selection | Tab | Tab | Tab |
| Unindent Line or Selection | Shift+Tab | Shift+Tab | Shift+Tab |
| Start New Line | Shift+Enter | Shift+Enter | Shift+Enter |
| Start New Line Before Current | Ctrl+Enter | Ctrl+Enter | Ctrl+Alt+Enter |
| Toggle Case | Ctrl+Shift+U | Ctrl+Shift+U | Ctrl+Shift+U |
| Undo | Ctrl+Z | Ctrl+Z | Ctrl+Z |
| Redo | Ctrl+Y | Ctrl+Y | Ctrl+Shift+Z |
Shortcuts for Navigating the Content
| Command | Visual Studio | ReSharper | IntelliJ |
| Previous Method | Alt+Up | Alt+Up | Alt+Up |
| Next Method | Alt+Down | Alt+Down | Alt+Down |
| Go to Line/Column… | Ctrl+G | Ctrl+G | Ctrl+G |
| Switcher | Ctrl+Tab | Ctrl+Tab | Ctrl+Tab |
| Select In… | Alt+F1 | Alt+F1 | Alt+F1 |
| Locate/Select in Solution View | Alt+Shift+L | Alt+Shift+L | N/A |
| Show Bookmarks | Ctrl+` | Ctrl+` | Shift+F11 |
| Forward | Ctrl+Shift+Minus | Ctrl+Shift+Minus | Ctrl+Alt+Right |
| Last Edit Location | Ctrl+Shift+Backspace | Ctrl+Shift+Backspace | Ctrl+Shift+Backspace |
| Back | Ctrl+Minus | Ctrl+Minus | Ctrl+Alt+Left |
| Select Next Tab | Alt+Right | Alt+Right | Alt+Right |
| Select Previous Tab | Alt+Left | Alt+Left | Alt+Left |
| Add to Favorites | Alt+Shift+F | Alt+Shift+F | Alt+Shift+F |
| Toggle Bookmark with Mnemonic | Ctrl+F11 | N/A | Ctrl+F11 |
| Toggle Bookmark | Ctrl+K, K | N/A | F11 |
| Recent Files | Ctrl+Comma | Ctrl+E | Ctrl+E |
| Recently Changed Files | Ctrl+Shift+Comma | Ctrl+Alt+Shift+Backspace | N/A |
| Show Favorites window | Alt+2 | Alt+2 | Alt+2 |
| Show Structure window | Ctrl+Alt+F | Ctrl+F11 | Alt+7 |
| Show Find window | Alt+3 | Alt+3 | Alt+3 |
Shortcuts for Caret Options
| Command | Visual Studio | ReSharper | IntelliJ |
| Move Caret to Previous Word | Ctrl+Left | Ctrl+Left | Ctrl+Left |
| Move Caret to Next Word | Ctrl+Right | Ctrl+Right | Ctrl+Right |
| Move Caret to Line Start | Home | Home | Home |
| Move Caret to Line End | End | End | End |
| Containing Declaration | Ctrl+[ | Ctrl+[ | Alt+Shift+[ |
| Next Method | Alt+Down | Alt+Down | Alt+Down |
| Previous Method | Alt+Up | Alt+Up | Alt+Up |
| Move Caret to Page Top | Ctrl+Page Up | Ctrl+Page Up | Ctrl+Page Up |
| Move Caret to Page Bottom | Ctrl+Page Down | Ctrl+Page Down | Ctrl+Page Down |
| Move Caret to Text Start | Ctrl+Home | Ctrl+Home | Ctrl+Home |
| Move Caret to Text End | Ctrl+End | Ctrl+End | Ctrl+End |
| Extend Selection | Ctrl+Alt+Right | Ctrl+W | Ctrl+W |
| Clone Caret Above | Double Ctrl + Up | Double Ctrl + Up | Double Ctrl + Up |
| Clone Caret Below | Double Ctrl + Down | Double Ctrl + Down | Double Ctrl + Down |
| Clone Caret Above with Virtual Space | Alt+Shift+Up | Alt+Shift+Up | N/A |
| Clone Caret Below with Virtual Space | Alt+Shift+Down | Alt+Shift+Down | N/A |
| Move Caret to Matching Brace | Ctrl+] | Ctrl+] | Ctrl+Shift+M |
| Move Caret to Code Block Start | Alt+Shift+[ | Alt+Shift+[ | Ctrl+[ |
| Move Caret to Code Block End | Alt+Shift+] | Alt+Shift+] | Ctrl+] |
| Move Caret to Previous Word with Selection | Ctrl+Shift+Left | Ctrl+Shift+Left | Ctrl+Shift+Left |
| Move Caret to Next Word with Selection | Ctrl+Shift+Right | Ctrl+Shift+Right | Ctrl+Shift+Right |
| Move Caret to Line Start with Selection | Shift+Home | Shift+Home | Shift+Home |
| Move Caret to Line End with Selection | Shift+End | Shift+End | Shift+End |
| Up with Selection | Shift+Up | Shift+Up | Shift+Up |
| Down with Selection | Shift+Down | Shift+Down | Shift+Down |
| Select Containing Declaration | Ctrl+Shift+[ | Ctrl+Shift+[ | Ctrl+Alt+Shift+[ |
| Move Caret to Code Block Start with Selection | Ctrl+Alt+Shift+[ | Ctrl+Alt+Shift+[ | Ctrl+Shift+[ |
| Move Caret to Code Block End with Selection | Ctrl+Alt+Shift+] | Ctrl+Alt+Shift+] | Ctrl+Shift+] |
| Move Caret to Page Top with Selection | Ctrl+Shift+Page Up | Ctrl+Shift+Page Up | Ctrl+Shift+Page Up |
| Move Caret to Page Bottom with Selection | Ctrl+Shift+Page Down | Ctrl+Shift+Page Down | Ctrl+Shift+Page Down |
| Page Up with Selection | Shift+Page Up | Shift+Page Up | Shift+Page Up |
| Page Down with Selection | Shift+Page Down | Shift+Page Down | Shift+Page Down |
| Move Caret to Text Start with Selection | Ctrl+Shift+Home | Ctrl+Shift+Home | Ctrl+Shift+Home |
| Move Caret to Text End with Selection | Ctrl+Shift+End | Ctrl+Shift+End | Ctrl+Shift+End |
| Shrink Selection | Ctrl+Alt+Left | Ctrl+Shift+W | Ctrl+Shift+W |
| Page Up | Page Up | Page Up | Page Up |
| Page Down | Page Down | Page Down | Page Down |
| Select All | Ctrl+A | Ctrl+A | Ctrl+A |
| Left with Selection | Shift+Left | Shift+Left | Shift+Left |
| Right with Selection | Shift+Right | Shift+Right | Shift+Right |
| Add/Remove Caret | Alt+Shift+Click | Alt+Shift+Click | Alt+Shift+Click |
| Toggle Column Selection Mode | Alt+Shift+Insert | Alt+Shift+Insert | Alt+Shift+Insert |
| Add Caret to Each Line in Selection | Alt+Shift+G | Alt+Shift+G | Alt+Shift+G |
| Add Selection for Next Occurrence | Alt+Shift+. | Alt+Shift+. | Alt+J |
Conclusion on IntelliJ IDEA Keyboard Shortcuts
These shortcuts are highly beneficial to learn, as you can see. It hardly takes five to ten minutes to memorize them, yet stays for a lifetime. It will no doubt save you lengths of time and make you tech-savvy. We hope we have been of help to you!