Using Hotkeys to Navigate IDEA

Tech Tip for Using Hotkeys Instead of Mouse Clicks

Hotkeys are a useful tool that can make navigation of the IDEA software a little quicker. They allow users to work in IDEA without ever needing to use a Mouse.

To start using hotkeys, tap (do not hold) the Alt key on your keyboard. When you do so, the hotkey overlay will appear, showing you the commands that are immediately available to you.

Quick Access Toolbar Hotkeys

At the top of the screen, you will see the numbers 1-9.

Tapping any of those numbers on your keyboard will activate the corresponding tool that you have pinned to the quick-access toolbar in IDEA.  This gives you a great deal of flexibility since you can configure any tool or command to show up in the toolbar. Using the screenshot above as an example, tapping “Alt”, then tapping “9” on the keyboard will cause the Join Databases window to appear without needing to use the mouse at all.

Tab Hotkeys

Below the numbered hotkeys, you will see a letter appear under each tab.

These are the hotkeys used to open tabs in IDEA.  Tapping the letter of the corresponding tab will cause that tab to open (‘H’ for Home, ‘D’ for Data, ‘A’ for Analysis, etc…).

IDEA Function Hotkeys

Once a tab is opened, you will see numerous other options.  Each function listed under the tab will have a letter or combination of letters either on it, under it or right on top. These are the hotkeys to open each function in IDEA.  For example, on the Analysis tab, you could tap ‘T’ to open the Top Records window or ‘J’ to open the Join Databases window. You’ll also notice that some of the hotkeys have more than one character to press.  For instance, the hotkey for Summarization is ‘SU’. Simply tap the keys in that order to open the appropriate window.

Closing Hotkeys

To remove the letters and numbers which identify hotkeys, just tap the Alt key again.  This will close the hotkey overlay completely.

Note that there are no hotkeys for the windows of the various tools (Joins, Summarization, etc…).  However, it is still possible to navigate those windows using the Tab, arrow keys and the Enter button on your keyboard.

IDEA Shortcuts

In addition, there are numerous keyboard shortcuts that you can use in IDEA.