Visual Studio Tips and Tricks

Credits• Zain Naboulsi• Microsoft Developer Evangelist• blogs.msdn.com/visualstudiotips• @zainnab• isbn: 0735649928

Pin Favorite Startup Projects• Start Page

Understanding Command• Tools > Options > Environment >

Keyboard• Assign Shortcut Key to Command• Test Command (Project.AddClass)• Run from Command Window, Menu,

Shortcut Keys• Command Window: CTRL + ALT + A

Item / Project Templates• File > Export Template• Create your own templates (project /

item)• Create from existing item• Add references in the template• Search project: CTRL + E (New

Project window)

Searching in Toolbox• View Toolbox: CTRL + ALT + X• Expand All: /• Collapse All: *• Next Result: TAB• Cancel: ESC

Navigate Code• Matching Braces: CTRL + ]• Backward / Forward: CTRL + -; CTRL

+ SHIFT + -• Select to last marker: CTRL + =• Insert above line: CTRL + Enter• Backspace one word: CTRL +

Backspace• Goto line: CTRL + G

Zero-Length Box Selection• SHIFT + ALT + Arrow keys– Type and text selection

• ALT + Left Mouse– Type and text selection

• Select + Paste– Replacing Text with Box Selection

Using New IntelliSense: Keywords

• Visual Studio 2010• CTRL + J

Multiple Startup Projects• Solution Properties

Generate From Usage• Automatically create stub code• Use classes and members before

defined• Easily add namespace (using or full

name)

Data Tips• Debug mode allow view of data tips• Data tips can be pinned• Pinned data tips can be imported /

exported– Debug > Import / Export Data Tips

Accessing Tool Window’s Toolbar

• SHIFT + ALT• Navigate with arrow keys

Split Code Windows• Split horizontally and vertically• Horizontal: ALT + W, P• Vertical: ALT + W, V• New window: ALT + W, N

Zoom In or Out of Text in Editor

• CTRL + Mouse Wheel

Navigate Properties Windows

• CTRL + PgUp• CTRL + PgDn