30+ Eclipse Shortcuts Every Java Programmer Should Know

Eclipse has tons of shortcuts for you to code Java faster. But there are just so many hotkeys and keyboard shortcuts, which are the most useful?

We'll go through 30+ amazing shortcuts for the Eclipse IDE when coding in Java. Once you learn them, you'll be able to code all your Java programs faster, and waste less time doing work that the Eclipse IDE can do for you.

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Hi, I'm John! I'm a Lead Java Software Engineer and I've been in the programming industry for more than a decade. I love sharing what I've learned over the years in a way that's understandable for all levels of Java learners.

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[Abdulrahman-hbfy]

1. Convert to Upper Case
Ctrl + Shift + X
2. convert to Lower Case
Ctrl + Shift + Y
3. System.out.println();
"sysout", then Crtl + Space
4. public static void main(String [] args) {}
"main", then Ctrl + Space
5. for loops
"for", then Ctrl + Space
6. "foreach" loops
"foreach", then Ctrl + Space
7. "while" loop
"while", then Ctrl + Space
8. "do while" loop
"do", then Ctrl + Space
9. if statements
"if", then Ctrl + Space
10. Move lines text up or down
Alt + Up or Down Arrow
11. Surround code with various stuff
Alt + Shift + Z
12. Automatically generate Getters and Setters
Right Click > Source > Generate Getters and Setters
12. (2) Cooler way to do the same thing
Alt + Shift + S, then R
13. Automatically generate Constructor using Fields
Right Click > Source > Generate constructors
13. (2) Cooler way to do the same thing
Alt + Shift + S, then O
14. Auto - format
Ctrl + Shift + F
15. Optimize imports
Ctrl + Shift + O
16. Comment or uncomment lines of code
Ctrl + /
17. Multi - line block comment
Ctrl + Shift + /
18. Rename variable, method, or class
Alt + Shift + R
19. Jump to line
Ctrl + L
20. View class outline
Ctrl + O
21. Extract method
Alt + Shift + M
22. Delete line
Ctrl + D
23. View call hierarchy
Ctrl + Alt + H
24. View class hierarchy
F4
25. Jump to beginning/ end of {}, (), or []
Ctrl + Shift + P
26. Increase or decrease font size
Ctrl + "+", Ctrl + "-"
27. Jump to method implementation
F3 or Ctrl + Click
28. Jump to variable declaration
F3 or Ctrl + Click
29. Open resource
Ctrl + Shift + R
30. Change tabs
Ctrl + PageUp, Ctrl + PageDown
31. Jump backward or forward in history
Alt + Left Arrow, Alt + Right Arrow
31. (2) Cooler way to do the same thing
Back or Forward Mouse Buttons
32. Run program
Ctrl + F11
33. View all keyboard shortcut
Ctrl + Shift + L

[pesterenan]

When you hold CTRL+ALT+ DOWN you can duplicate the line that you have selected. Pretty useful!

[OneTimWhatley]

00:20 Convert to Upper Case Ctrl + Shift + X
00:34 Convert to Lower Case Ctrl + Shift + Y
00:37 System.out.println(); "sysout", then Crtl + Space
01:01 public static void main(String [] args) {} "main", then Ctrl + Space
01:39 for loop "for", then Ctrl + Space
02:05 for each loop "foreach", then Ctrl + Space
02:25 while loop "while", then Ctrl + Space
02:38 do while loop "do", then Ctrl + Space
02:50 if statements "if", then Ctrl + Space
03:03 Move lines text up or down Alt + Up or Down Arrow
03:39 Surround code with various stuff Select code, then Alt + Shift + Z
04:14 Automatically generate Getters and Setters Right Click > Source > Generate Getters and Setters
05:21 Keyboard shortcut to generate Getters and Setters Alt + Shift + S, then R
05:29 Automatically generate Constructor using Fields Right Click > Source > Generate constructors
05:55 Keyboard shortcut to generate Constructor using Fields Alt + Shift + S, then O
06:00 Auto format Ctrl + Shift + F
06:21 Optimize imports Ctrl + Shift + O
07:12 Comment or uncomment lines of code Ctrl + /
07:20 Multi-line block comment Ctrl + Shift + /
07:28 Rename variable, method, or class Alt + Shift + R
07:47 Jump to line Ctrl + L
08:03 View class outline Ctrl + O
08:17 Extract method Alt + Shift + M
08:54 Delete line Ctrl + D
09:02 View call hierarchy Ctrl + Alt + H
09:24 View class hierarchy F4
09:37 Jump to beginning/ end of {}, (), or [] Ctrl + Shift + P
09:58 Increase or decrease font size Ctrl + "+" -or- Ctrl + "-"
10:08 Jump to method implementation F3 or Ctrl + Click
10:19 Jump to variable declaration F3 or Ctrl + Click
10:35 Open resource Ctrl + Shift + R
10:50 Change file tabs Ctrl + PageUp, Ctrl + PageDown
10:57 Jump backward or forward in history Alt + Left Arrow -or- Alt + Right Arrow
11:27 Mouse buttons to Jump backward or forward in history Back or Forward Mouse Buttons
11:39 Run program Ctrl + F11
12:05 View all keyboard Ctrl + Shift + L

[ensislucis]

The getters and setters were actually life changing

[wakskater]

Your videos are really really helpfull, this one in particular !
It gives me a real confidence boost & the feeling that I'm not completely lost.
Somehow you explain the funktion of java way better than my teachers without even using my native language.
I can even watch them for entertainment purposes.
Big Thanks !

[hemadribathula]

00:03 Learn Eclipse shortcuts for faster Java programming
01:35 Understanding the main method and its components
03:11 Moving code and surrounding it with try catch blocks can be done with shortcuts.
04:51 Eclipse IDE provides shortcuts to generate getters and setters, constructors, and format code automatically.
06:31 Importing and organizing imports in Eclipse
08:11 Eclipse offers useful shortcuts for Java programming.
09:48 Eclipse IDE tips for easier code navigation and editing
11:21 Eclipse shortcuts can improve productivity

[deabsoluteschwarz]

So many useful ones in here.
On more is Alt + Shift + L to extract to variable

[Devilzlegacy]

Im in my Junior year of CS. The hours that I could have saved If I watched this earlier AHHH

[Ujjal.]

Ctrl + Shift + X = makes all selected letters uppercase.
Ctrl + Shift + Y = makes all selected letters lowercase.
“sysout” then Ctrl + Space = System.out.println();
"main", then Ctrl + Space = public static void main(String[] args) {}
"for", then Ctrl + Space = "for" loops
"foreach", then Ctrl + Space = "foreach" loops
"do", then Ctrl + Space = "do while" loop
"if", then Ctrl + Space = "if" statement
Alt + Up or Down Arrow = Move lines of text up or down
Alt + Shift + Z = Surround code with various stuff
Right Click > Source > Generate Getters and Setters = Automatically generate Getters and Setters
Alt + Shift + S, then R = cooler way to do the same thing
Right Click > Source > Generate Constructor using Fields = Automatically generate constructos
Alt + Shift + S, then O = cooler way to do the same thing
Ctrl + Shift + F = Auto-format
Ctrl + Shift + O = Optimize imports
Ctrl + / = Comment or uncomment lines of code
Ctrl + Shift + / = Multi-line block comment
Alt + Shift + R = Rename variable, method or class
Ctrl + L = jump to line
Ctrl + O = View class outline
Alt + Shift + M = Extract method
Ctrl + D = Delete line
Ctrl + Alt + H = View call hierarchy
F4 = View Class hierarchy
Ctrl + Shift + P = Jump to beginning / end of {}, () or []
Ctrl + "+", Ctrl + "-" = Increase or decrease font size
F3 or Ctrl + Click = jump to method implementation
F3 or Ctrl + Click = jump to variable implementation
Ctrl + Shift + R = Open resource
Ctrl + pageUp, Ctrl + PageDown = Change tabs
Alt + Left Arrow, Alt + Right Arrow = Jump backward or forward in history
Back or Forward Mouse Buttons = cooler way to do the same thing
Ctrl + F11 = Run program
Ctrl + Shift + L = View all keyboard shortcuts

[noelpadavan]

The most underrated video I’ve seen on eclipse shortcuts. Awesome!!

[hunterftw]

Similar to moving lines up/ down using the Alt + Up/Down shortcut, We can replicate a piece of code by selecting the code and then press Ctrl + Alt + Down. This will create a copy of the selected code just below.

[fredericoasoares]

As you mentioned, ctrl + f11 start run app. I'd like to add just f11. It starts debug mode app.

[francksgenlecroyant]

This is the most important video in my life as a Java developer using Eclipse and Eclipse based IDE like STS, thank you John!

[petarJK]

As an intellij user, when I had to use eclipse for a spring course, I was very miserable at first. This video helps a lot. Thanks.

[markatkinson]

Really appreciate your sense of community and willingness to share. Our secondary benefit is that you are REALLY good at presenting your ideas clearly and quickly. Thank you.

[Frank-mois]

Great demonstration. Thanks for sharing these useful shortcuts.

[droidlycodes]

I've been self teaching (meaning watching guides, trial and error learning, reading docs and so on) Java for almost a decade and sometimes I forget certain things myself than see your content which helps me understand a bit more too lol.

[nagakobe]

Thank you John for The most underrated video I’ve seen on eclipse shortcuts. Awesome!!

[TheCalmshadow]

This vid is a must watch for new coders using eclipse

[phattrinh]

One of the greatest video about eclipse ever made. Thank you sir.