Visual Studio 2010 IntelliSense doesn't select a default value - it just marks it

Question

I have a pretty annoying problem with the IntelliSense in Visual Studio 2010:

Every now and then (but not always - just out of my control) the Intellisense engine chooses to "mark" an option, instead of actually selecting it. This means that instead of typing e n Enter to access the default option starting with "En...", I have to type e n down Enter.

Usually it works like this for a while, and then, suddenly, the behavior I want is back. My conclusion is that there is some option somewhere that is set automatically, and that I don't know how to control.

How do I make sure that the default option is always selected, and not just "marked"?

For reference: This is Visual Studio 2010 RC, with CodeRush Xpress 10.1.

@devio: did you ever find out why? – Tomas Aschan Apr 19 '10 at 16:52 — Tomas Aschan, Apr 19 '10 at 16:52

score 280 · Accepted Answer · edited Feb 24 '14 at 08:28

280

Try Ctrl-Alt-Space.

found that on Connect, and seems to work for me

edited Feb 24 '14 at 08:28

Stephan Bauer

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answered Apr 23 '10 at 09:42

devio

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Microsoft articles tend to disappear after a while. It would be nice to explain a little why and how – AaA Aug 06 '18 at 02:53

score 81 · Answer 2 · answered Nov 06 '14 at 20:31

81

It can also be changed by going to Edit -> IntelliSense -> ToggleCompletionMode

answered Nov 06 '14 at 20:31

Machet

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plus one for finding an alternative way for those who may have changed their shortcuts. – Daniel Casserly Jul 09 '15 at 09:04
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Thank you. I might have ignored Ctrl+Alt+Space thinking it could never be a permanent fix, but that it would only affect what you're currently typing. Even though it turns out to be the same thing as this, this caught my eye and helps me understand what I'm doing. – Timo Nov 17 '15 at 11:57
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vs2017, still works. And it still turns itself off randomly... this bug has been here a long damn time. – Douglas Gaskell Feb 20 '18 at 01:41
@DouglasGaskell I won't write off the possibility that I fat fingered Ctr+Alt+Space instead of it changing randomly. – S. Buda Jun 25 '18 at 15:28
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Works with vs2019 which I thought was broken at some point. Thanks, you saved my nerves every time i write a C# property! – Andrii M4n0w4R Aug 20 '19 at 05:49
@DouglasGaskell apparently still there and turns itself off randomly. Any updates on this? – KeyC0de Sep 15 '20 at 15:32

score 19 · Answer 3 · edited Feb 24 '14 at 08:29

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I had the same problem, but find pressing TAB always selects the default selection.

edited Feb 24 '14 at 08:29

Stephan Bauer

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answered Mar 19 '13 at 09:16

cyberspy

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True. But you still have to press period to bring up the member's list. One extra step :( – Tomas Beblar Jan 05 '16 at 18:36
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@Tomas. Of course you do - all of the solutions above rely on that. Imagine if that didn't happen. You start typing the name of a variable, which in the first few letters could match several variables with similar names but different types, and ALL the members for all those types popped up automatically. Pressing a period key may be an extra step but it saves your sanity! – cyberspy Jan 14 '16 at 12:14

score 9 · Answer 4 · answered May 15 '20 at 14:26

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For completeness, this option has a toggle button up on the toolbar:

Its visual status will tell you which completion mode is currently selected.

answered May 15 '20 at 14:26

canton7

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While probably true, and valuable info today, I'm a little impressed that you found this >10-year-old question to write this :) – Tomas Aschan May 15 '20 at 15:34
It's top of the "related" list for similar questions, and pops up quite nicely on search. It's still relevant despite being a decade old! – canton7 May 15 '20 at 15:35
WTH! Simple and straightforward. Thanks. VS2019. – bolkay May 19 '20 at 17:29

score 3 · Answer 5 · answered Nov 19 '19 at 10:03

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For C++ at least,

Tools / Options / Text Editor / C/C++/ Advanced / IntelliSense

and change Member List Commit Aggressive to True

answered Nov 19 '19 at 10:03

Bogdan

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Thanks a lot! I was going mad because I couldn't find this option! Maybe they can rename this option, because it is a bit hidden with its current name. Or at least make it active by default... – Lapo Dec 02 '19 at 22:28

score 2 · Answer 6 · answered Oct 16 '19 at 13:32

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You might switched into low- impact IntelliSense mode, just hit Ctrl+Alt+Space and it will solve the problem.

answered Oct 16 '19 at 13:32

zalky

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Amir Eskandari · Answer 7 · 2020-01-05T17:16:12.177

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You should just do it : Edit / IntelliSense / Toggle Completion Mode

I can Solve it with this Solution

edited Jan 05 '20 at 17:16

answered Jan 05 '20 at 17:11

Amir Eskandari

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Visual Studio 2010 IntelliSense doesn't select a default value - it just marks it

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