Macros

Macros provide a convenient way to automate repetitive procedures you do frequently while writing code. You can record, edit, and play back macros, assign shortcuts to them, and share them.

Macros can be used to combine a sequence of editor-related actions within a file.
You can't record button clicks, navigating to popups, and accessing tool windows, menus, and dialogs.

A temporary macro can be used without a name. For permanent macros, assign unique names.

Record a macro

Go to Edit | Macros | Start Macro Recording.
Perform necessary actions that you want to be recorded.
Select Edit | Macros | Stop Macro Recording.
In the Enter Macro Name dialog, specify the name for the new macro and click OK.
If the macro is intended for temporary use only, you can leave the name blank.

Play back a macro

To play back a temporary macro, select Edit | Macros | Play Back Last Macro.
To play back a named macro, select Edit | Macros and click the necessary macro name.

Edit macros

Select Edit | Macros | Edit Macros.

The left side of the dialog shows a list of available macros with the following buttons:

: Remove the selected macro.
: Edit the name of the selected macro.

The right side of the dialog shows a list of actions in the selected macro with the following button:

: Remove the selected action from the macro.

Bind a keyboard shortcut to a macro

Press Control+Alt+S to open the IDE settings and then select Keymap.
Create a new keymap or select an existing keymap from the list of keymaps.
Expand the Macros node and select the macro for which you want to create a keyboard shortcut.

Alternatively, you can press Control+Shift+A to open the Find Action dialog, type your macro name, select it, and then press Alt+Enter to bind a shortcut .

If you have at least one macro recorded, you can export them along with any other settings and share them with others.

Go to File | Manage IDE Settings | Export Settings.
In the Export Settings dialog, select Macros and any other settings that you want to share.
Select the path for the s archive and click OK.

Give the settings archive to someone who will import the settings and use your macros.

Example: Combine reformatting and saving into one action

This example shows how to create a macro that reformats the current file Control+Alt+L and saves your project when you press Control+S.

Record a macro with the reformat and save actions.
Bind the Control+S shortcut to the created macro.

Record the macro

Open any file in the editor.
Go to Edit | Macros | Start Macro Recording.
Press Control+Alt+L to reformat code (Code | Reformat Code). Then press Control+S to save all changes (File | Save All). IntelliJ IDEA will show the performed actions in the status bar.
Select Edit | Macros | Stop Macro Recording.
In the Enter Macro Name dialog, specify the name for the new macro and click OK.

Assign a shortcut for the new macro

Press Control+Alt+S to open the IDE settings and then select Keymap.
Expand the Macros node and select the created Reformat and Save macro.
Right-click the macro and choose Add Keyboard Shortcut in the context menu.
In the Keyboard Shortcut dialog, press Control+S to be used as the shortcut and click OK.
IntelliJ IDEA will warn you that the shortcut is assigned to another action. Click Remove to remove the Control+S shortcut for the Save All action. You can always reassign it later if necessary.
Click OK to apply the changes.

Now, when you press Control+S, IntelliJ IDEA will invoke the new macro: reformat the current file and save your project.

Last modified: 07 September 2023