Eclipse: Enable autocomplete / content assist

156
votes

How can I enable autocomplete in Eclipse? I can't find it!

8
eclipseautocompletecontent-assist

8 Answers

208
votes

By default in Eclipse you only have to press Ctrl + space for autocomplete. Then select the desired method and wait 500ms for the javadoc info to pop up. If this doesn't work go to the Eclipse Windows menu → Preferences → Java → Editor → Content assist and check your settings here

181
votes

If you would like to use autocomplete all the time without having to worry about hitting Ctrl + Spacebar or your own keyboard shortcut, you can make the following adjustment in the Eclipse preferences to trigger autocomplete simply by typing several different characters:

  1. Eclipse > Preferences > Java > Editor > Content Assist
  2. Auto Activation > Auto activation triggers for Java
  3. Enter all the characters you want to trigger autocomplete, such as the following:

abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyzABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ._

Now any time that you type any of these characters, Eclipse will trigger autocomplete suggestions based on the context.

13
votes
  1. window->preferences->java->Editor->Contest Assist
  2. Enter in Auto activation triggers for java:
    abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyzABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ._
  3. Apply and Close

other method:
type initial letter then ctrl+spacebar for auto-complete options.

6
votes

For auto-completion triggers in Eclipse like IntelliJ, follow these steps,

  1. Go to the Eclipse Windows menu -> Preferences -> Java -> Editor -> Content assist and check your settings here
  2. Enter in Autocomplete activation string for java: abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyzABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ._@
  3. Apply and Close the Dialog box.

Thanks.

3
votes

I am not sure if this has to be explicitly enabled anywhere..but for this to work in the first place you need to include the javadoc jar files with the related jars in your project. Then when you do a Cntrl+Space it shows autocomplete and javadocs.

2
votes

If you are only unfamiliar with the auto-complete while typing syntax or inbuilt methods in the eclipse you can simply type the desired syntax or method name and press Ctrl+Space that will display the list of desired options and you can select one of them.

If the auto-complete option is not enabled then you have to check your settings from Windows menu -> Preferences -> Java -> Editor -> Content assist

1
votes

For anyone having this problem with newer versions of Eclipse, head over to Window->Preferences->Java->Editor->Content assist->Advanced and mark Java Proposals and Chain Template Proposals as active.

-2
votes

For me, it helped after I changed the theme to 'mac' since I am running on a MacOSX.

Eclipse: >Preferences > General > Appearance > Choose 'Mac' from the menu.