Keyboard:  CTRL + ALT + J
Menu:  View -> Object Browser
Command:  View.ObjectBrowser
Versions:  2008,2010
Published:  8/26/2010
Code:  vstipTool0077

One of my pet peeves is that the Object Browser does much, much more than it's name implies:

As you can see, the Object Browser is composed of several pieces:

Toolbar (very top)-various controls for manipulating the various functions available.

Objects Pane (left, top and bottom)-displays an expandable list of symbols whose top-level nodes represent components or namespaces available in the current browsing scope.

Members Pane (right,top)-selecting an symbol in the Objects pane displays its members in the Members pane if available.

Description Pane (right, bottom)-displays detailed information about the currently selected object or member.

First, it would have you think that it only shows objects.  This isn't true at all!  In fact, it shows symbols which is way more than just objects:

In this example, we see a couple of projects with several namespaces in them in addition to some interfaces and classes.  The classes with envelopes represent internal classes.  You can see what the icons mean by going to the documentation entitles "Class View and Object Browser Icons" found here:  http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/y47ychfe.aspx

Second, it would have you think that all you can do is browse items.  Again, not true.  You can do cool things like add references to your project from the Object Browser:

Over a series of upcoming tips we will examine just what the Object Browser can do for you.