Must Know Visual Studio Keyboard Shortcuts

Project Related Keyboard Shortcuts:

  • Ctrl + Shift + B = Build your project.
  • Ctrl + Alt + L = Shows Solution Explorer.
  • Shift + Alt + C = Add new class.
  • Shift + Alt + A = Add new item to project.

Editor Related Keyboard Shortcuts:

  • Ctrl + Enter = Insert blank line above the current line.
  • Ctrl + Shift + Enter = Insert blank line below the current line.
  • Ctrl + Space = Autocomplete using IntelliSense.
  • Alt +Shift +arrow keys(←,↑,↓,→) = Select custom part of the code.
  • Ctrl + } = Match curly braces, brackets.
  • Ctrl + Shift + } = Select text between matched braces, brackets.
  • Ctrl + Shift + S = Saves all files and projects.
  • Ctrl + K, Ctrl + C = Comments the selected lines.
  • Ctrl + K, Ctrl + U = Uncomments the selected lines.
  • Ctrl + K, Ctrl + D = Do proper alignment of all the code.
  • Shift + End = Select the entire line from start to end.
  • Shift + Home = Select the entire line from end to start.
  • Ctrl + Delete = Deletes the word to the right of the cursor.

Navigation Related Keyboard Shortcuts:

  • Ctrl + Up/Down = Scrolls the window without moving the cursor
  • Ctrl + – = Take cursor to its previous location
  • Ctrl + + = Take cursor to its next location
  • F12 = Go to definition

Debugging Related Keyboard Shortcuts:

  • Ctrl + Alt + P = Attach to process
  • F10 = Debug step over
  • F5 = Start debugging
  • Shift + F5 = Stop debugging
  • Ctrl + Alt + Q = Add quick watch
  • F9 = Set or remove a breakpoint

Search Related Keyboard Shortcuts:

  • Ctrl + K Ctrl + K = Bookmark the current line
  • Ctrl + K Ctrl + N = Navigates to next bookmark
  • Ctrl + . = If you type in a class name likeCollection<string> and do not have the proper namespace import then this shortcut combination will automatically insert the import.
  • Ctrl + Shift + F = Find in Files
  • Shift + F12 = Find all references
  • Ctrl + F = Displays the Find Dialog
  • Ctrl + H = Displays the Replace Dialog
  • Ctrl + G = Jumps to the line number or go to the line
  • Ctrl + Shift + F = Find the references of the selected item in the entire solution

Read the complete list of shortcuts here.

Next Recommended Reading Visual Studio Keyboard Shortcuts