IntelliSense Suggestion Mode

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IntelliSense Suggestion Mode

22 Jan 2010 3:00 AM
  • Comments 7

Keyboard:  CTRL + ALT + Spacebar
Menu:  Edit -> IntelliSense -> Toggle Completion Mode
Command:  Edit.ToggleCompletionMode
Versions:  2010
Published:  1/22/2010
Code:  vstipEdit0012

 

IntelliSense comes in two modes:  Completion and Suggestion.  You are already familiar with IntelliSense Completion mode, it's the traditional mode that we have all used for years.  But if you are into Test Driven Development (TDD) then Completion mode can be very annoying at times.  As a TDD developer we often use classes and members BEFORE they exist.  It's pretty annoying when you go to type the name of something that doesn't exist and you get IntelliSense.  Especially since you sometimes will accidentally get a an option you didn't want:

image

 

The solution is Suggestion mode.  Just hit CTRL + ALT + Spacebar to go into this mode:

image

 

Now you get the best of both worlds:  You can type in a name that doesn't exist AND have quick access to the Completion mode options as well.  The dangers of getting an option you don't want are removed.  Pretty cool stuff.

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Comments
  • 22 Jan 2010 5:50 AM

    Hey Now Zain,

    IntelliSense is great!

    Thx 4 the info,

    Catto

  • Gwen
    6 Jan 2011 1:48 AM

    Thanks a lot ! I was blocked on Suggestion Mode, it was a big pain, i prefer Completion Mode.

  • Quiark
    17 May 2011 11:06 AM

    Can you turn this off? For some reason it kicks in pretty often and I really don't like it.

  • 17 Aug 2011 8:03 AM

    Hey Quiark,

    To my knowledge there is currently no way to turn this feature off in VS2010 other than the keyboard shortcut.  

    Z

  • 1 May 2012 11:02 AM

    I'm very glad to know how to turn auto-completion off, but I have to comment on the mindset of this explanation!

    "if you are into Test Driven Development (TDD) then Completion mode can be very annoying at times" - Oh my! I must be really "into" TDD, then! ;-)

  • 1 May 2012 5:05 PM

    Yeah good point.  There are others who aren't into TDD who may want to turn this off too. :)

    Z

  • LT
    9 May 2012 9:41 PM

    Thanks man, I must have accidently pressed these same buttons to get into the wrong mode.

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