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