The CTRL key, which stands for ConTRoL…aw, the good ole days 
These are the driving questions for today’s post.
While some of us may be keyboard ninjas, and others are more driven to use the mouse – everyone has probably picked up a few strategic keyboard shortcuts over the years. For example, I’ve personally JUST memorized the Cmd-Shift-4 ‘trick’ in Mac OS X. And of course we all know what F1 does, right? Right?!?
Here are a few more keyboard shortcuts to commit to memory.
My Favorite SQL Developer Shortcuts
- ctrl-enter : executes the current statement(s)
- F5 : executes the current code as a script (think SQL*Plus)
- ctrl-space : invokes code insight on demand
Code Editor – Completion Insight – Enable Completion Auto-Popup (Keyword being Auto)
- ctrl-Up/Dn : replaces worksheet with previous/next SQL from SQL History
- ctrl-shift+Up/Dn : same as above but appends instead of replaces
- shift+F4 : opens a Describe window for current object at cursor
- ctrl+F7 : format SQL
- ctrl+/ : toggles line commenting
- ctrl+e : incremental search
Configuring Keyboard Shortcuts in SQL Developer
Tools > Preferences > Shortcut Keys
Search by command name OR the keystroke itself
Some tips…
- Sort by category
- Pay special attention to the ‘Code Editor’ and ‘Other’ categories
- Mind the conflicts when you change the defaults
- Be nice – share! You can save your new mappings with your co-workers using the Export and Import buttons
Click on ‘More Actions’ to expose the Import and Export buttons
When I get ‘bored’ or if I think I might be missing something, I peruse the Code Editor and Other categories, again! I’ve picked up quite a few cool editor tricks here. Then I blog about them, like they’re ‘magic.’ #EvilLaugh
But the main tip is this – don’t let your previously memorized keyboard shortcuts SHORTCUT your usage of SQL Developer. If your fingers have already memorized some keystrokes, just re-program SQL Developer to match!
What’s your favorite shortcut?
I’ll use the most popular shortcut mentioned in the comments to round out my Top 10 list above!
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Nov 05, 2012 @ 13:04:10
I’d say Ctrl+’ to change case.
Nov 05, 2012 @ 13:39:59
1, 2, 3, 6, 7 and 8 I have down. The ones I need to commit to memory are 4 and 5. I don’t like incremental search, I like the full blown search and set the highlight all instances and start from beginning to on. Or something like that.
Nov 06, 2012 @ 08:53:27
F9 – to execute/view in grid.
Nov 13, 2012 @ 07:26:16
Funny, while trying the shortcuts you recommended as useful—and they are, indeed—I discovered a new one I like very much.
On the OS X release most CTRL+something shortcuts are mapped to CMD+something. So I tried CMD+e while having a word marked. SQL Developer instantly jumped to the next occurrence of this word. Well, that’s a handy feature when navigating through code.
I tried the same at work, where I use the Windows release of SQL Developer – i.e. CRTL+e. Unfortunately, in the Windows release I was presented with a dialog box requesting an input value … even though I marked a word before.
A quick look at the preferences showed, that CMD+e is mapped to ‘Weitersuchen nach unten ab Cursorposition’ (something like ‘Continue search downward from cursor position’). Which is mapped to STRG+F3 under Windows.
So to make a medium length story even shorter … I’d like to recommend the shortcut
• CMD+e
• STRG+F3
for fast code searching. Simply mark something and hit STRG+F3.
Nov 13, 2012 @ 09:12:10
That is indeed very cool! Ctrl+F3 automatically jumps to the next occurrence of the selected word!
Mar 14, 2013 @ 13:27:43
Hey Jeff,
I went through the worksheet shortcuts and I couldn’t find one for navigating between the worksheet tabs. Did I miss something?
Mar 14, 2013 @ 14:05:46
When you say worksheet tabs, do you mean like the Worksheet and Query Builder tabs in a worksheet, or do you mean between multiple worksheets and editors you have open in SQL Developer?
Mar 14, 2013 @ 15:19:56
I’m talking about multiple worksheets and editors in SQL Developer. Thanks
Mar 14, 2013 @ 15:26:30
Try Ctrl+Tab or Ctrl+F6/Ctrl+Shift+F6