In this section:

Opening files for editing

To open a file for editing
  1. Do one of the following:
    • Double-click the desired file in one of the Tool Windows.
    • Select the desired file in one of the Tool Windows and press ⌘↓, F4, ⌘↓ or F4F4 or F4F3 or F3F4, F4 or F4F4, F4 or F4.
    • Select the desired file in the one of the Tool Windows and choose Jump to Source on the context menu.
    • Use the Navigate command for a Class, File, or Symbol.
    • Click the desired directory in the Navigation bar, and select file from the drop-down list: ij_navbar
  2. If the file type is registered, the file opens silently in IntelliJ IDEA's editor.

    If the file type is registered under the category Files opened in associated applications, it will be opened in its associated application, rather than in the IntelliJ IDEA editor. By default, IntelliJ IDEA suggests a number of such file types, for example .doc, .chm, or .pdf.

    If the file type is unknown, IntelliJ IDEA suggests you to choose whether you want to register a new file type, or open such file in its associated application. Specify your choice in the Register New File Type Association dialog box:

    RegisterFileType

    You can register the required file types on the File Types page of the Settings/Preferences dialog.

The maximum size of files parsed by IntelliJ IDEA is controlled by the idea.max.intellisense.filesize setting in idea.properties file, located in the bin directory of IntelliJ IDEA installation. However, the larger file is, the slower its editor works and higher overall system memory requirements are.

Opening external files

To open an external file
  • Do one of the following:
    • Choose File | Open on the main menu and select the desired file in the dialog box that opens.
    • Drag the required file from the Explorer (Windows), File Browser (Linux), or Finder and drop it to the editor. The file open for editing in a new tab.

Opening directories

Reopening files

To reopen a file
  • To open a recently opened file, choose View | Recent Files on the main menu or press ⌘E or ⌘E⌘E or ⌘E⌘E or ⌘E^ E, ⌃E or ⌃E. Then select the desired file from the Recent Files pop-up window, that opens.

    ij_recentFiles

  • To open a recently updated file, on the main menu, choose View | Recently Changed Files or press ⇧⌘E or ⇧⌘E⇧⌘E or ⇧⌘E⇧⌘E or ⇧⌘E^ ⇧ E, ⌃⇧E or ⌃⇧E^ ⇧ E, ⌃⇧E or ⌃⇧E. Then select the desired file from the Recently Edited Files pop-up window, that opens.

    Use Recent files limit text box in the Editor settings page to define the maximum number of recent files.

Opening files in separate window

To open a file in a separate IntelliJ IDEA window

Do one of the following:

  • Drag and drop an editor tab outside of the current IntelliJ IDEA window.
  • Press ⇧F4 or ⇧F4⇧F4 or ⇧F4⇧F4 or ⇧F4⇧ F4, ⇧F4 or ⇧F4⇧ F4, ⇧F4 or ⇧F4 for a file selected in the Project tool window.
  • ⇧ mouse double click on a file name in the Project tool window.