Code Editors & IDEs

Visual Studio Keyboard Shortcuts

All 412 Visual Studio keyboard shortcuts in one place, so you can develop with microsoft tools faster

Visual Studio keyboard shortcuts

Visual Studio, from Microsoft, is a code editors & IDEs application designed to develop with microsoft tools. It has become a go-to choice for professionals and enthusiasts alike.

For Visual Studio users, mastering keyboard shortcuts is one of the fastest ways to boost productivity. Quick access to tools and commands keeps the creative flow unbroken.

With support for macOS and Windows, Visual Studio reaches a wide range of users. This keyboard shortcuts guide covers the key combinations for each supported platform.

macOS Windows
412 shortcuts 42 categories
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Jump to Section (42 sections)

Build 5 shortcuts

Build solution
N/A Ctrl +Shift +B
Cancel
N/A Ctrl +Break
Compile
N/A Ctrl +F7
Run code analysis on solution
N/A Alt +F11
Build selection
N/A Ctrl +B

Debug 66 shortcuts

Break at function
N/A Ctrl +B
Break all
N/A Ctrl +Alt +Break
Delete all breakpoints
N/A Ctrl +Shift +F9
Exceptions
N/A Ctrl +Alt +E
Quick watch
N/A Ctrl +Alt +Q
Restart
N/A Ctrl +Shift +F5
Run to cursor
N/A Ctrl +F10
Set next statement
N/A Ctrl +Shift +F10
Start
N/A F5
Start without debugging
N/A Ctrl +F5
Step into
N/A F11
Step out
N/A Shift +F11
Step over
N/A F10
Stop debugging
N/A Shift +F5
Toggle breakpoint
N/A F9
Apply code changes
N/A Alt +F10
Attach to process
N/A Ctrl +Alt +P
Autos
N/A Ctrl +Alt +V +A
Breakpoints
N/A Ctrl +Alt +B
Call stack
N/A Ctrl +Alt +C
Launch diagnostics
N/A Alt +F2
Disassembly
N/A Ctrl +Alt +D
Dom explorer
N/A Ctrl +Alt +V +D
Enable breakpoint
N/A Ctrl +F9
Function breakpoint
N/A Ctrl +K +B
Go to previous call or IntelliTrace event
N/A Ctrl +Shift +F11
Start diagnostics
N/A Alt +F5
Immediate
N/A Ctrl +Alt +I
IntelliTrace calls
N/A Ctrl +Alt +Y +T
IntelliTrace events
N/A Ctrl +Alt +Y +F
JavaScript console
N/A Ctrl +Alt +V +C
Locals
N/A Ctrl +Alt +V +L
Process combo
N/A Ctrl +5
Stack frame combo
N/A Ctrl +7
Thread combo
N/A Ctrl +6
Toggle current thread flagged state
N/A Ctrl +8
Toggle flagged threads
N/A Ctrl +9
Memory 1
N/A Ctrl +Alt +M +1
Memory 2
N/A Ctrl +Alt +M +2
Memory 3
N/A Ctrl +Alt +M +3
Memory 4
N/A Ctrl +Alt +M +4
Modules
N/A Ctrl +Alt +U
Parallel stacks
N/A Ctrl +Shift +D +S
Parallel watch 1
N/A Ctrl +Shift +D +1
Parallel watch 2
N/A Ctrl +Shift +D +2
Parallel watch 3
N/A Ctrl +Shift +D +3
Parallel watch 4
N/A Ctrl +Shift +D +4
Processes
N/A Ctrl +Alt +Z
Reattach to process
N/A Alt +Shift +P
Refresh Windows app
N/A Ctrl +Shift +R
Registers
N/A Ctrl +Alt +G
Show call stack on code map
N/A Ctrl +Shift +`
Show next statement
N/A Alt +Multiply
Start Windows Phone application analysis
N/A Alt +F1
Step into current process
N/A Ctrl +Alt +F11
Step into specific
N/A Alt +Shift +F11
Step out current process
N/A Ctrl +Alt +Shift +F11
Step over current process
N/A Ctrl +Alt +F10
Stop performance analysis
N/A Alt +Shift +F2
Tasks
N/A Ctrl +Shift +D +K
Threads
N/A Ctrl +Alt +H
Toggle disassembly
N/A Ctrl +F11
Watch 1
N/A Ctrl +Alt +W +1
Watch 2
N/A Ctrl +Alt +W +2
Watch 3
N/A Ctrl +Alt +W +3
Watch 4
N/A Ctrl +Alt +W +4

Debugger context menus 3 shortcuts

Delete
N/A Alt +F9 +D
Go to disassembly
N/A Alt +F9 +A
Go to source code
N/A Alt +F9 +S

Edit 48 shortcuts

Break line
N/A Enter
Collapse to definitions
N/A Ctrl +M +O
Comment selection
N/A Ctrl +K +C
Complete word
N/A Alt +Right
Copy
N/A Ctrl +C
Cut
N/A Ctrl +X
Delete
N/A Delete
Find
N/A Ctrl +F
Find all references
N/A Shift +F12
Find in files
N/A Ctrl +Shift +F
Find next
N/A F3
Find next selected
N/A Ctrl +F3
Format document
N/A Ctrl +K +D
Format selection
N/A Ctrl +K +F
Go to
N/A Ctrl +G
Go to declaration
N/A Ctrl +F12
Go to definition
N/A F12
Go to find combo
N/A Ctrl +D
Go to next location
N/A F8
Insert snippet
N/A Ctrl +K +X
Insert tab
N/A Tab
Line cut
N/A Ctrl +L
Line down extend column
N/A Alt +Shift +Down
Line open above
N/A Ctrl +Enter
List members
N/A Ctrl +J
Navigate to
N/A Ctrl +,
Open file
N/A Ctrl +Shift +G
Overtype mode
N/A Insert
Parameter info
N/A Ctrl +Shift +Space
Paste
N/A Ctrl +V
Peek definition
N/A Alt +F12
Redo
N/A Ctrl +Y
Replace
N/A Ctrl +H
Select all
N/A Ctrl +A
Select current word
N/A Ctrl +W
Selection cancel
N/A Esc
Remove and sort usings
N/A Ctrl +R +G
Surround with
N/A Ctrl +K +S
Tab left
N/A Shift +Tab
Toggle all outlining
N/A Ctrl +M +L
Toggle bookmark
N/A Ctrl +K +K
Toggle completion mode
N/A Ctrl +Alt +Space
Toggle line comment
N/A Ctrl +/
Toggle outlining expansion
N/A Ctrl +M +M
Uncomment selection
N/A Ctrl +K +U
Undo
N/A Ctrl +Z
Word delete to end
N/A Ctrl +Delete
Word delete to start
N/A Ctrl +Backspace

File 11 shortcuts

Exit
N/A Alt +F4
New file
N/A Ctrl +N
New project
N/A Ctrl +Shift +N
New web site
N/A Alt +Shift +N
Open file
N/A Ctrl +O
Open project
N/A Ctrl +Shift +O
Open web site
N/A Alt +Shift +O
Rename
N/A F2
Save all
N/A Ctrl +Shift +S
Save selected items
N/A Ctrl +S
View in browser
N/A Ctrl +Shift +W

Project 2 shortcuts

Add existing item
N/A Alt +Shift +A
Add new item
N/A Ctrl +Shift +A

Refactor 1 shortcut

Extract method
N/A Ctrl +R +M

Tools 1 shortcut

Attach to process
N/A Ctrl +Alt +P

View 16 shortcuts

Class view
N/A Ctrl +Shift +C
Edit label
N/A F2
Error list
N/A Ctrl +\ +E
Navigate backward
N/A Ctrl +-
Navigate forward
N/A Ctrl +Shift +-
Object browser
N/A Ctrl +Alt +J
Output
N/A Ctrl +Alt +O
Properties window
N/A F4
Refresh
N/A F5
Server explorer
N/A Ctrl +Alt +S
Show smart tag
N/A Ctrl +.
Solution explorer
N/A Ctrl +Alt +L
TFS Team Explorer
N/A Ctrl +\ +M
Toolbox
N/A Ctrl +Alt +X
View code
N/A Enter
View designer
N/A Shift +F7

Window 5 shortcuts

Activate document window
N/A Esc
Close document window
N/A Ctrl +F4
Next document window
N/A Ctrl +F6
Next document window nav
N/A Ctrl +Tab
Next split pane
N/A F6

Analyze 2 shortcuts

Navigate backward
N/A Alt +Shift +3
Navigate forward
N/A Alt +Shift +4

Architecture 1 shortcut

New diagram
N/A Ctrl +\ +N

Azure 2 shortcuts

Retry mobile service script operation
N/A Ctrl +Multiply +R
Show mobile service script error details
N/A Ctrl +Multiply +D

Class View context menus 1 shortcut

Properties
N/A Alt +Enter

Diagnostics Hub 1 shortcut

Stop collection
N/A Ctrl +Alt +F2

ADO.NET Entity Data Model Designer 10 shortcuts

Move properties down
N/A Alt +Down
Move properties down 5
N/A Alt +PageDown
Move properties to bottom
N/A Alt +End
Move properties to top
N/A Alt +Home
Move properties up
N/A Alt +Up
Move properties up 5
N/A Alt +PageUp
Rename
N/A Ctrl +R +R
Remove from diagram
N/A Shift +Delete
Entity data model browser
N/A Ctrl +1
Entity data model mapping details
N/A Ctrl +2

Class Diagram 7 shortcuts

Collapse
N/A -
Expand
N/A +
Delete
N/A Ctrl +Delete
Expand collapse base type list
N/A Alt +Shift +B
Navigate to lollipop
N/A Alt +Shift +L
Remove from diagram
N/A Delete
View code
N/A Enter

Coded UI Test Editor 6 shortcuts

Copy reference to clipboard
N/A Ctrl +C
Insert delay before
N/A Ctrl +Alt +D
Locate all
N/A Alt +Shift +L
Locate the UI control
N/A Ctrl +Shift +L
Move code
N/A Ctrl +Alt +C
Split into a new method
N/A Ctrl +Shift +T

DataSet Editor 2 shortcuts

Insert column
N/A Insert
Add column
N/A Ctrl +L

Difference Viewer 11 shortcuts

Ignore trim whitespace
N/A Ctrl +\ +Space
Inline view
N/A Ctrl +\ +1
Left only view
N/A Ctrl +\ +3
Next difference
N/A F8
Previous difference
N/A Shift +F8
Right only view
N/A Ctrl +\ +4
Side by side view
N/A Ctrl +\ +2
Switch between left and right
N/A Ctrl +\ +Tab
Synchronize view toggle
N/A Ctrl +\ +Down
Add comment
N/A Ctrl +Shift +K
Edit local file
N/A Ctrl +Shift +P

DOM Explorer 3 shortcuts

Refresh
N/A F5
Select element
N/A Ctrl +B
Show layout
N/A Ctrl +Shift +I

F# Interactive 1 shortcut

Cancel interactive evaluation
N/A Ctrl +Break
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Graph Document Editor 7 shortcuts

Add node
N/A Insert
Both dependencies
N/A B
Incoming dependencies
N/A I
Outgoing dependencies
N/A O
New comment
N/A Ctrl +Shift +K
Remove
N/A Delete
Rename
N/A F2

Graphics Diagnostics 8 shortcuts

Move pixel selection down
N/A Alt +Shift +Down
Move pixel selection left
N/A Alt +Shift +Left
Move pixel selection right
N/A Alt +Shift +Right
Move pixel selection up
N/A Alt +Shift +Up
Zoom to actual size
N/A Alt +Shift +0
Zoom to fit in window
N/A Alt +Shift +9
Zoom in
N/A Alt +Shift +=
Zoom out
N/A Alt +Shift +-

HTML Editor 20 shortcuts

Go to controller
N/A Ctrl +M +G
Move control down
N/A Ctrl +Down
Move control up
N/A Ctrl +Up
Bold
N/A Ctrl +B
Convert to hyperlink
N/A Ctrl +L
Insert bookmark
N/A Ctrl +Shift +L
Italic
N/A Ctrl +I
Underline
N/A Ctrl +U
Add content page
N/A Ctrl +M +C
Column to the left
N/A Ctrl +Alt +Left
Column to the right
N/A Ctrl +Alt +Right
Row above
N/A Ctrl +Alt +Up
Row below
N/A Ctrl +Alt +Down
Net nonvisual controls
N/A Ctrl +Shift +N
Edit master
N/A Ctrl +M +M
Next view
N/A Ctrl +PageDown
Show smart tag
N/A Alt +Shift +F10
View markup / View designer
N/A Shift +F7
Previous tab
N/A Ctrl +PageUp
Synchronize views
N/A Ctrl +Shift +Y

Layer Diagram 1 shortcut

Delete
N/A Shift +Delete

Managed Resources Editor 10 shortcuts

Edit cell
N/A F2
Remove
N/A Delete
Remove row
N/A Ctrl +Delete
Selection cancel
N/A Esc
Audio
N/A Ctrl +4
Files
N/A Ctrl +5
Icons
N/A Ctrl +3
Images
N/A Ctrl +2
Other
N/A Ctrl +6
Strings
N/A Ctrl +1

Merge Editor Window 3 shortcuts

Set focus on left window
N/A Alt +1
Set focus on result window
N/A Alt +2
Set focus on right window
N/A Alt +3

Microsoft SQL Server Data Tools Schema Compare 6 shortcuts

SSDT schema compare compare
N/A Alt +Shift +C
SSDT schema compare generate script
N/A Alt +Shift +G
SSDT schema compare next change
N/A Alt +Shift +.
SSDT schema compare previous change
N/A Alt +Shift +,
SSDT schema compare stop
N/A Alt +Break
SSDT schema compare write updates
N/A Alt +Shift +U

Microsoft SQL Server Data Tools Table Designer 6 shortcuts

Commit all edits
N/A Alt +Shift +U
Expand wildcards
N/A Ctrl +R +E
Fully qualify names
N/A Ctrl +R +Q
Move to schema
N/A Ctrl +R +M
Rename
N/A F2
View file in Script Panel
N/A Alt +Shift +PageDown

VC Image Editor 43 shortcuts

Airbrush tool
N/A Ctrl +A
Brush tool
N/A Ctrl +B
Copy and outline selection
N/A Ctrl +Shift +U
Draw opaque
N/A Ctrl +J
Ellipse tool
N/A Alt +P
Erase tool
N/A Ctrl +Shift +I
Filled ellipse tool
N/A Ctrl +Alt +Shift +P
Filled rectangle tool
N/A Ctrl +Alt +Shift +R
Filled rounded rectangle tool
N/A Ctrl +Alt +Shift +W
Fill tool
N/A Ctrl +F
Flip horizontal
N/A Ctrl +H
Flip vertical
N/A Alt +Shift +H
Larger brush
N/A Ctrl +=
Line tool
N/A Ctrl +L
Magnification tool
N/A Ctrl +M
Magnify
N/A Ctrl +Shift +M
New image type
N/A Insert
Next color
N/A Ctrl +]
Next color (alternative)
N/A Ctrl +Right
Next right color
N/A Ctrl +Shift +]
Next right color (alternative)
N/A Ctrl +Shift +Right
Outlined ellipse tool
N/A Alt +Shift +P
Outlined rectangle tool
N/A Alt +Shift +R
Outlined rounded rectangle tool
N/A Alt +Shift +W
Pencil tool
N/A Ctrl +I
Previous color
N/A Ctrl +[
Previous color (alternative)
N/A Ctrl +Left
Previous right color
N/A Ctrl +Shift +[
Previous right color (alternative)
N/A Ctrl +Shift +Left
Rectangle selection tool
N/A Alt +Shift +S
Rectangle tool
N/A Alt +R
Rotate 90 degrees
N/A Ctrl +Shift +H
Rounded rectangle tool
N/A Alt +W
Show grid
N/A Ctrl +Alt +S
Show tile grid
N/A Ctrl +Alt +Shift +S
Small brush
N/A Ctrl +.
Smaller brush
N/A Ctrl +-
Text tool
N/A Ctrl +T
Use selection as brush
N/A Ctrl +U
Zoom in
N/A Ctrl +Shift +.
Zoom in (alternative)
N/A Ctrl +Up
Zoom out
N/A Ctrl +Shift +,
Zoom out (alternative)
N/A Ctrl +Down

VC String Editor 1 shortcut

New string
N/A Insert

View Designer 8 shortcuts

Cancel retrieving data
N/A Ctrl +T
Criteria
N/A Ctrl +2
Diagram
N/A Ctrl +1
Execute SQL
N/A Ctrl +R
Goto row
N/A Ctrl +G
Join mode
N/A Ctrl +Shift +J
Results
N/A Ctrl +4
SQL
N/A Ctrl +3

Visual Studio 1 shortcut

Hide methods pane
N/A Ctrl +1

Windows Forms Designer 24 shortcuts

Break line
N/A Enter
Char left
N/A Left
Char left extend
N/A Shift +Left
Char right
N/A Right
Char right extend
N/A Shift +Right
Document end
N/A End
Document end extend
N/A Shift +End
Document start
N/A Home
Document start extend
N/A Shift +Home
Insert tab
N/A Tab
Line down
N/A Down
Line down extend
N/A Shift +Up
Line up
N/A Up
Line up extend
N/A Shift +Down
Move control down
N/A Ctrl +Down
Move control left
N/A Ctrl +Left
Move control right
N/A Ctrl +Right
Move control up
N/A Ctrl +Up
Selection cancel
N/A Esc
Size control down
N/A Ctrl +Shift +Down
Size control left
N/A Ctrl +Shift +Left
Size control right
N/A Ctrl +Shift +Right
Size control up
N/A Ctrl +Shift +Up
Tab left
N/A Shift +Tab

Work Item Editor 3 shortcuts

Create copy of work item
N/A Alt +Shift +C
Refresh work item
N/A F5
New linked work item
N/A Alt +Shift +L

Work Item Query View 6 shortcuts

Create copy of work item
N/A Alt +Shift +C
Indent
N/A Alt +Shift +Right
Outdent
N/A Alt +Shift +Left
New linked work item
N/A Alt +Shift +L
Refresh
N/A F5
Toggle
N/A Alt +Shift +V

Work Item Results View 8 shortcuts

Create copy of work item
N/A Alt +Shift +C
Indent
N/A Alt +Shift +Right
Outdent
N/A Alt +Shift +Left
Goto next work item
N/A Alt +Shift +N
Goto previous work item
N/A Alt +Shift +P
New linked work item
N/A Alt +Shift +L
Refresh
N/A F5
Toggle
N/A Alt +Shift +V

Workflow Designer 26 shortcuts

Complete word (alternative 1)
N/A Ctrl +K +W
Complete word (alternative 2)
N/A Ctrl +Space
Complete word (alternative 3)
N/A Alt +Right
Decrease filter level
N/A Alt +,
Increase filter level
N/A Alt +.
List members (alternative 1)
N/A Ctrl +K +L
List members (alternative 2)
N/A Ctrl +J
Parameter info (alternative 1)
N/A Ctrl +K +P
Parameter info (alternative 2)
N/A Ctrl +Shift +Space
Quick info (alternative)
N/A Ctrl +K +I
Collapse (alternative)
N/A Ctrl +E +C
Connect nodes (alternative)
N/A Ctrl +E +F
Create variable (alternative)
N/A Ctrl +E +N
Expand all (alternative)
N/A Ctrl +E +X
Expand in place (alternative)
N/A Ctrl +E +E
Go to parent (alternative)
N/A Ctrl +E +P
Move focus (alternative)
N/A Ctrl +E +M
Navigate through designer
N/A Ctrl +Alt +F6
Restore (alternative)
N/A Ctrl +E +R
Show hide argument designer (alternative)
N/A Ctrl +E +A
Show hide imports designer (alternative)
N/A Ctrl +E +I
Show hide overview map (alternative)
N/A Ctrl +E +O
Show hide variable designer (alternative)
N/A Ctrl +E +V
Toggle selection (alternative)
N/A Ctrl +E +S
Zoom in
N/A Ctrl ++
Zoom out
N/A Ctrl +-

XAML UI Designer 16 shortcuts

Fit all
N/A Ctrl +0
Show handles
N/A F9
Zoom in
N/A Ctrl +Alt +=
Zoom out
N/A Ctrl +Alt +-
Edit text
N/A F2
Reset layout - all
N/A Ctrl +Shift +R
Run project code
N/A Ctrl +F9
Hide (Blend only)
N/A Ctrl +H
Lock (Blend only)
N/A Ctrl +L
Show (Blend only)
N/A Ctrl +Shift +H
Unlock (Blend only)
N/A Ctrl +Shift +L
Edge left move left
N/A Ctrl +Shift +,
Edge left move right
N/A Ctrl +Shift +.
Edge right move left
N/A Ctrl +Alt +Shift +,
Edge right move right
N/A Ctrl +Alt +Shift +.
Show property marker menu
N/A Ctrl +Space

XML (Text) Editor 2 shortcuts

Start XSLT debugging
N/A Alt +F5
Start XSLT without debugging
N/A Ctrl +Alt +F5

XML Schema Designer 8 shortcuts

Bottom to top
N/A Alt +Up
Left to right
N/A Alt +Right
Right to left
N/A Alt +Left
Top to bottom
N/A Alt +Down
Remove from workspace
N/A Delete
Show content model view
N/A Ctrl +2
Show graph view
N/A Ctrl +3
Show start view
N/A Ctrl +1
Noticed errors or keyboard shortcuts that don't work? Please let us know about them here
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