I don't understand the format selection (cmd + K cmd + F) shortcut keys in VS Code

Question

Can someone please explain to me how the "format selection" (cmd + K cmd + F) shortcut keys - and other shortcuts that seemingly have multiple button press combinations - work in VS Code.

I tried pressing cmd + K and cmd + F simultaneously (though, cmd is listed twice so I am really pressing cmd + K + F in this case) and I have tried hitting them in order. If someone could explain what they mean here, then it would be much appreciated. I am sure it's a simple solution that I have been overlooking for all these years.

Answer 1

The written format for shortcut expressions use the operators '+' (plus) and ' ' (space) to define whether the expressions on each side of the operator should be pressed simultaneously, or sequentially.

• '+' represents two keys pressed then held simultaneously, in left-to-right order.

  This is the same as typing an uppercase letter using the shift key: Shift + a -> A

• ' ' represents concatenating the right-hand-side key combo after the left-hand-side combo.

  This is the same as typing an uppercase word using the Shift key: Shift + h Shift + i -> HI

In the second example above, note that you can either keep holding Shift , or you can release it and press it again for each letter. The same applies with VSCode shortcuts.

In the case of Format Selection ( Cmd + k Cmd + f ), Cmd should be held while first k then f are pressed. Pressing k and f together is a different shortcut entirely ( Cmd + k + f ), as is pressing f and k together ( Cmd + f + k ). Since the left-hand-side key ( Cmd ) is the same for both expressions, you don't need to release it between typing the k and f .

To get a better grasp of how keyboard shortcuts are expressed, I'd suggest opening the the VSCode Preferences for Keyboard Shortcuts either using the command palette, or using the shortcut: Cmd + k Cmd + s : (type ks while holding Cmd ).

Then activate the Record Keys mode ( Alt + K ). Now type different key sequences, and it will show you the textual representation in the search bar, along with any shortcuts that match what you typed.