Eclipse comment/uncomment shortcut?

Question

I thought this would be easy to achieve, but so far I haven't found solutions for comment/uncomment shortcut on both Java class editor and jsf faceted webapp XHTML file editor :

to quickly comment/uncomment a line (like ctrl + d is for removing single line)
being able to choose multiple lines and comment/uncomment it

For example :

single line java code, from :

private String name;

into

//private String name;

multiple line java code, from :

private String name;
private int age;

into

/*private String name;
private int age;*/

single line xhtml code, from :

<h:inputText ... />

into

<!-- h:inputText ... / -->

multiple line xhtml code, from :

<h:inputTextarea
  rows="xx"
  cols="yy"
  ...
/>

into

<!-- h:inputTextarea
  rows="xx"
  cols="yy"
  ...
/ -->

Possible duplicate of [How to comment a block in Eclipse?](http://stackoverflow.com/questions/2001586/how-to-comment-a-block-in-eclipse) — CubeJockey, Mar 14 '16 at 15:04
Mac shortcuts: // for single line comments toggle Cmd + / to insert and remove. /* multiline */ use Cntrl + Cmd + // to comment and Cntrl + Cmd + \\ to uncomment. Works with Eclipse Neon too! — lft93ryt, Jan 26 '17 at 21:53
Any shortcuts to uncomment this type of comment /**Hello *this is second line *this is third line */ — MashukKhan, Aug 29 '17 at 12:54

score 373 · Accepted Answer · edited Feb 20 '14 at 23:36

373

For single line comment you can use Ctrl + / and for multiple line comment you can use Ctrl + Shift + / after selecting the lines you want to comment in java editor.

On Mac/OS X you can use ⌘ + / to comment out single lines or selected blocks.

edited Feb 20 '14 at 23:36

rhinoinrepose

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answered Apr 04 '11 at 05:08

Richie

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cool ! works great for both java and xhtml file. it even uses the **/* */** for multiline java codes – Bertie Apr 04 '11 at 06:11
1

Using a swedish Keyboard the multiline is not possible since the '/' char is typed using shift + 7, is there a plugin to change the shortcuts for Swedish users? – David Mårtensson Sep 09 '13 at 22:30
1

@DavidMårtensson it works fine for me, just press Ctrl + Shift + 7 (yielding ctrl + /), having multiple lines marked. – user Sep 13 '13 at 09:03
how does one undo a commented field in eclipse? – DannyD Nov 02 '14 at 19:22
3

To uncomment press Ctrl + / again if it is a single line comment and Ctrl + Shift + \ if it is a multi line comment – Richie Nov 06 '14 at 11:28
1

@Richie ctrl + shift + \ doesnt work for me for uncommenting multiple lines – john Apr 16 '17 at 13:48
OP asked for comment uncomment both Please update the answer – Adeel Ahmed Jan 01 '18 at 10:56
1

This doesn't uncomment in my case. – Philip Rego Dec 27 '18 at 16:01
Doesn't answer question! Doesn't show how to UNcomment! – Dan Rayson Jun 13 '19 at 10:26

score 195 · Answer 2 · edited May 11 '20 at 21:03

195

Use

Ctrl + SHIFT + L which will open a list of all major shortcuts for eclipse.

For single line java code comment and uncomment : Ctrl + / (Forward Slash)
For multiple line java code comment : Ctrl + Shift + / (Forward Slash) and

Multiline uncomment : Ctrl + Shift + \ (Backslash)
For single line xhtml code comment/uncomment : Ctrl + Shift + c
For multiple line xhtml code comment : Ctrl + Shift + / (Forward Slash)

For multiple uncomment : Ctrl + Shift + \ (Backward Slash)

For Mac user it will be: ⌘ instead of Ctrl

edited May 11 '20 at 21:03

drac_o

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answered Apr 04 '11 at 05:40

Hardik Mishra

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Found it ! It's ctrl shift c in my eclipse, and toggle comment/uncomment works for both java code and xhtml file. But the comment on java code use **//** even for multiple line, and not **/* */** .. but i think it's ok :-) – Bertie Apr 04 '11 at 06:07
@bertie Use #4 if that's the effect you're going for. – arkon Aug 13 '14 at 18:56
replace ctrl with ⌘, thanks for teaching me for teaching me how to fish! – Hunter-Orionnoir Jun 10 '15 at 00:04
For multiple uncomment : Ctrl + Shift + \ (Backward Slash) : Most IMPORTANT! – raikumardipak Mar 21 '20 at 07:28

score 103 · Answer 3 · edited Jun 06 '13 at 18:49

103

CTRL + 7

does comment/uncomment in the Java Editor.

edited Jun 06 '13 at 18:49

Juan Cortés

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answered Apr 04 '11 at 05:08

Daniel

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This works for Android application. I swapped that to Ctrl+Q. – MrHIDEn Oct 24 '14 at 10:16
This is a great because it's simpler than remembering two different commands for comment/un-comment! – levininja Sep 23 '15 at 16:10
in contrast to most other answers this will always work (multiline comments cannot be nested) – 463035818_is_not_an_ai Oct 16 '18 at 12:10

score 52 · Answer 4 · edited Aug 03 '17 at 16:41

52

Single line comment Ctrl + /
Single line uncomment Ctrl + /

Multiline comment Ctrl + Shift + /
Multiline uncomment Ctrl + Shift + \ (note the backslash)

edited Aug 03 '17 at 16:41

James Oravec

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answered Jul 01 '12 at 14:18

noelyahan

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Single line stopped working in Eclipse 2021 – Captain Fantastic Nov 16 '21 at 13:03

score 37 · Answer 5 · edited Apr 08 '13 at 13:52

37

An easier way is to press Ctrl + Shift + C, just like in Code::Blocks

edited Apr 08 '13 at 13:52

Hugo Dozois

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answered Dec 20 '12 at 09:10

Denis

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2

Thank you. In my keyboard I have to press **Alt Gr** to access **/** and the common shortcuts don't work (ctrl + / and ctrl + shift + /). This shortcut is what I needed. – zezim Jan 30 '13 at 11:42
1

This is awesome because it uncomments XML. When I use Cmd-/ to uncomment XML/HTML, I end up with a nested comment. – David Mann Aug 20 '13 at 14:42

score 20 · Answer 6 · edited May 12 '20 at 08:27

20

Select the code you want to comment, then use Ctr + / to comment and Ctrl + / also to uncomment. It may not work for all types of source files, but it works great for Java code.

edited May 12 '20 at 08:27

drac_o

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answered Apr 04 '11 at 05:08

squawknull

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score 14 · Answer 7 · edited Feb 06 '14 at 10:43

14

In eclipse Pressing Ctrl + Shift + L, will list all the shortcuts.

edited Feb 06 '14 at 10:43

Aniket Kulkarni

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answered Jul 25 '13 at 05:23

sk85

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this answer actually more meaning full. gives answer for wide range of other shortcut related questions, in addition to what question is asked here – DeltaCap019 Aug 13 '13 at 05:00
2

..but it does not answer the question because "comment" hot key is not listed in this popup. – WesternGun Jan 04 '18 at 08:45

score 10 · Answer 8 · edited Feb 06 '14 at 10:47

10

Ctrl + Shift + C . Works great on .java, .xhtml, .properties and maybe on others but I only tested these ones. Can comment single or multiple lines.

edited Feb 06 '14 at 10:47

Aniket Kulkarni

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answered Jan 03 '14 at 08:37

ihebiheb

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yes, also works at least in `.less, .css, .jsp, .xml` – el-teedee Sep 07 '18 at 23:37

score 10 · Answer 9 · edited May 12 '20 at 05:07

10

Comments In Java class

Toggle/Single line Comment ( Ctrl+/ ) - Add/remove line comments (//…) from the current line.
Add Block Comment ( Ctrl+Shift+\ ) - Wrap the selected lines in a block comment (/*… */).
Remove Block Comment ( Ctrl+Shift+/ ) - Remove a block comment (/*… */) surrounding the selected lines.
Add Javadoc Comment ( Alt+Shift+J ) - Add a Javadoc comment to the active field/method/class.

Comments In HTML/XML/Config file

Add Block Comment ( Ctrl+Shift+/ ) - Wrap the selected lines in a block comment (< !-- -->).
Remove Block Comment (Ctrl+Shift+\) - Remove a block comment (< !-- -->) surrounding the selected lines.

edited May 12 '20 at 05:07

drac_o

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answered Oct 08 '15 at 12:08

Deepak Gupta

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HAHA, by desesperally trying to uncomment in XML with `CTRL+SHIFT+\ ` , I discovered a new one `CTRL+ALT-GR+8` that seems to duplicate (vertical split) current edited file in 2 editors. Then you can see head and bottom of same file at same time – el-teedee Sep 07 '18 at 23:42

WesternGun · Answer 10 · 2018-01-18T09:00:57.637

For those who like to customize things (and screw them up), some tips:

In "Preferences" - "General" - "Keys", type "comment" to get a full list of comment key combination in all editors. Be sure only to edit, not copy commands(because you cannot erase created ones).

For HTML files, look for those with scope "Editing HTML files". The names are confusing, yes, but the description shows more or less when each and every key is used.

At last, I am only able to define block comment in HTML here. It works for both HTML code and Javascript code(add at the beginning and the end,  if is HTML, and add /* and */ if is Javascript). (I remember once there may be a "line comment" key (add comments for every line) but now it is not there anymore. If someone knows how to find it and tell me, I will be very grateful.) The category must be Edit. Source does not work.

EDIT:

I found how to configure XML Toggle comment! The category should be Edit, too. Then you can toggle comment in **XML Editor(the one with "Design" and "Source" tabs).

On Maverics / Eclipse oxygen I got it to work by setting binding = command + shift + / , when = 'editing javascript source' where category = source and command = 'add block comment' . — jkb016, Oct 30 '19 at 19:21

score 8 · Answer 11 · edited Feb 06 '14 at 10:46

8

Ctrl + 7 to comment a selected text.

edited Feb 06 '14 at 10:46

Aniket Kulkarni

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answered Nov 08 '13 at 23:05

Sangimed

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score 8 · Answer 12 · edited Oct 04 '16 at 06:20

8

A simple way of doing is to press Ctrl + Shift + C, on the lines of your code.

For comment and for uncomment do same .. :)

edited Oct 04 '16 at 06:20

Supun Wijerathne

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answered Dec 05 '14 at 10:59

Andy

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Thanks this lead me to try cmd ⌘ + shift + c (essentially the same thing) to toggle comments on a on a mac – Hunter-Orionnoir Jun 10 '15 at 00:04
Its only working for only comment and uncomment instructions. – Lova Chittumuri Apr 17 '17 at 15:34

score 6 · Answer 13 · edited Dec 20 '13 at 17:50

6

For a Mac it is the following combination: Cmd + /

edited Dec 20 '13 at 17:50

Jorgesys

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answered Apr 08 '13 at 13:27

bofredo

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just for future reference: That key is called the "command-key". – katzenhut Nov 20 '13 at 20:30
@katzenhut I would hope a programmer would know what the keys on his/her keyboard are. – arkon Aug 13 '14 at 18:59
@b1nary.atr0phy - well, when i wrote this comment the answerer referred to the key in question as the "mac-key". so what does that tell you? luckily, somebody edited it since... – katzenhut Aug 14 '14 at 09:49
My boss forced me to use a Mac-Book back then. Not my fault i didn't know the buttons name :-) – bofredo Apr 28 '17 at 09:49

score 4 · Answer 14 · edited Oct 20 '14 at 12:28

4

Ctrl+/ to toggle "//" comments and Ctrl+Shift/ to toggle "/* */" comments. At least for Java, anyway - other tooling may have different shortcuts.

Ctrl+\ will remove a block of either comment, but won't add comments.

EDIT: It's Ctrl on a PC, but on a Mac the shortcuts may all be Cmd instead. I don't have a Mac myself, so can't easily check

edited Oct 20 '14 at 12:28

Simon Dugré

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answered Mar 21 '14 at 12:15

Kamran

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score 4 · Answer 15 · edited Oct 20 '14 at 12:33

4

Single comment ctrl + / and also multiple line comment you can select multiple line and then ctrl + /. Then, to remove comment you can use ctrl + c for both single line and multiple line comment.

edited Oct 20 '14 at 12:33

Simon Dugré

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answered May 29 '14 at 10:23

GB_Bhayani ツ

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score 3 · Answer 16 · answered Nov 06 '14 at 15:26

You can toggle the comment on one line or selection by using the shortcut Ctrl + / This adds/removes the // infront of the code line

You can block comment /* */ using the Ctrl + Shift + / eclipse shortcut

You can find a complete list of useful eclipse shortcuts here http://javatutorial.net/eclipse-shortcuts

busetekin · Answer 17 · 2020-06-08T12:22:16.957

1

Source -> Remove Block Comment

link

edited Jun 08 '20 at 12:22

answered Jun 08 '20 at 12:16

busetekin

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score 1 · Answer 18 · answered Nov 16 '21 at 13:14

The Ctrl + / stopped working for me in Eclipse 2021, due to conflicts of the same command. If you go into Eclipse Preferences Generic Keys and then filter by "comment" you can then click on each Toggle Comment to see if there are any conflicts. Remove conflicts by clicking on the command and clicking Unbind Command, and this fixed it for me:

Eclipse comment/uncomment shortcut?

18 Answers18

Comments In Java class

Comments In HTML/XML/Config file

Linked

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