# Create empty files

In addition to [template-based](creating-files-from-templates.html) files, you can also create empty files without any pre-filled content.

Procedure: Create an empty file

1. In the [Project tool window](project-tool-window.html), right-click the directory within which you want to add a new empty file. Select `New | File`:

![Creating a new empty file](https://resources.jetbrains.com/help/img/idea/2026.2/cl_newfile_empty.png)

2. In the New File dialog, specify the file name.

You can precede the name with the required directory structure. If some of the nested directories do not exist, they will be created.

![Creating a new file with nested directories](https://resources.jetbrains.com/help/img/idea/2026.2/cl_newfile_nested.png)

3. A new file with the specified structure will be created under the chosen directory:

![New empty file inside nested directories](https://resources.jetbrains.com/help/img/idea/2026.2/cl_newfile_empty_tree.png)

Procedure: Assign a keyboard shortcut for creating empty files

1. Go to `Settings | Keymap`.

2. Navigate to Main Menu | File | File Open Actions | New.

3. Right-click it and select Add keyboard shortcut:

![Assigning a keyboard shortcut for New Empty File](https://resources.jetbrains.com/help/img/idea/2026.2/cl_emptyfiles_shortcut.png)

4. Press the shortcut on your keyboard, then click Ok to save it.

![Assigning a keyboard shortcut for New Empty File](https://resources.jetbrains.com/help/img/idea/2026.2/cl_emptyfiles_shortcut_example.png)

Use this shortcut to quickly create new empty files.

The shortcut will also appear next to the `New | File` action in the context menu of the Project tree:

![A shortcut assigned to New | File](https://resources.jetbrains.com/help/img/idea/2026.2/cl_emptyfiles_projecttree_shortcut.png)

## See also

### Procedures

[Create template-based files](creating-files-from-templates.html) [File types](creating-and-registering-file-types.html)