Keys

The function of the keyboard can be extensively customized in Eclipse using the General > Keys preference page. Within Eclipse, key strokes and key sequences are assigned to invoke particular commands.

Customizing Key Bindings

All key customization is done on the General > Keys preference page.

For example we want to bind CTRL+5 to the About command. By default the keys preference page will show you all possible keybindings. You can see the About command listed in the Help category. You can bind the command by putting focus in the Binding text box and pressing CTRL and 5 like you would if you were executing the command.

When you type CTRL+5 you have created a binding for the About command. The right-most column will indicate that this is a user binding by displaying a U. If there was a conflict with another key, this column would also display a C. The binding will be in the default context In Windows. You can now use the When combo box to change the key binding context.

You can use the Copy Command button to create a second command entry for you to bind another key to. To remove a binding use the Unbind Command button, or simply give focus to the Binding text box and hit Backspace.

Export Key Bindings

The bindings can be exported to a CSV file. For this purpose, press the button Export CSV .... This will launch a file dialog, where you can specify the location of the export file. Note: The export file is for reporting purposes only and can not be used to import the binding files into Eclipse.

Show Key Bindings When Command Is Invoked

For learning purposes, presentations or screen casts it is very helpful to show the corresponding key binding when a command is invoked. Whenever the command is invoked (via the keyboard or via menu clicks), the key binding, the command's name and description are shown on the screen.

This can be activated via the check boxes in the Show key binding when command is invoked group on the General > Keys preference page. To toggle this setting quickly, the command 'Toggle Show Key Bindings' can be used (e.g. via the Find Actions dialog).

Related Concepts

Related Reference