Visual Studio provides many tips and tricks to help developers work more efficiently. Some key shortcuts and features include pinning favorite projects, creating templates for reuse, searching code using keyboard shortcuts, navigating code with bracket matching, selecting text in various ways, using IntelliSense for code completion, setting multiple startup projects, generating code from usage, viewing variable values with data tips, accessing tool window toolbars, splitting code windows, zooming text, and navigating properties windows.

1. Visual Studio Tips and Tricks

2. CreditsZainNaboulsiMicrosoft Developer Evangelistblogs.msdn.com/visualstudiotips@zainnabisbn: 0735649928

3. Pin Favorite Startup ProjectsStart Page

4. Understanding CommandTools > Options > Environment > KeyboardAssign Shortcut Key to CommandTest Command (Project.AddClass)Run from Command Window, Menu, Shortcut KeysCommand Window: CTRL + ALT + A

5. Item / Project TemplatesFile > Export TemplateCreate your own templates (project / item)Create from existing itemAdd references in the templateSearch project: CTRL + E (New Project window)

6. Searching in ToolboxView Toolbox: CTRL + ALT + XExpand All: /Collapse All: *Next Result: TABCancel: ESC

7. Navigate CodeMatching Braces: CTRL + ]Backward / Forward: CTRL + -; CTRL + SHIFT + -Select to last marker: CTRL + =Insert above line: CTRL + EnterBackspace one word: CTRL + BackspaceGoto line: CTRL + G

8. Zero-Length Box SelectionSHIFT + ALT + Arrow keysType and text selectionALT + Left MouseType and text selectionSelect + PasteReplacing Text with Box Selection

9. Using New IntelliSense: KeywordsVisual Studio 2010CTRL + J

10. Multiple Startup ProjectsSolution Properties

11. Generate From UsageAutomatically create stub codeUse classes and members before definedEasily add namespace (using or full name)

12. Data TipsDebug mode allow view of data tipsData tips can be pinnedPinned data tips can be imported / exportedDebug > Import / Export Data Tips

13. Accessing Tool Window’s ToolbarSHIFT + ALTNavigate with arrow keys

14. Split Code WindowsSplit horizontally and verticallyHorizontal: ALT + W, PVertical: ALT + W, VNew window: ALT + W, N

15. Zoom In or Out of Text in EditorCTRL + Mouse Wheel

16. Navigate Properties WindowsCTRL + PgUpCTRL + PgDn