IntelliJ IDEA: Can't type { and [

Question

So I have a problem where in IntelliJ IDEA I can't type In

<br>{ --(Alt Gr + B or Ctrl + Alt + B)  

and

[ --(Alt Gr + F or Ctrl + Alt + F)  
<br>

I did try to edit shortcuts but there are no shortcuts that match mentiond ones
And when I try using SquareBrackets I get a message a little bit like this: "Cannot perform refactoring. Caret should be positioned at the name of local variable or expression to be refactored"

How can I fix this problem?

Answer 1

An other solution (not related to Jetbrain's suite).

This solution suits you if :

• The problem is sporadic (occurring at irregular intervals and eventually disappear)
• AltGr combinations seems not works on some other windows app

In this case this is a well known bug in Windows, just close all your RDP sessions and the AltGr will start acts as it should.

Answer 2

In my case, another application was using Alt Gr + 7 && Alt Gr + 8 shortcuts for other processes. So if previous solutions are not helpful, make sure that shortcut is not being used by another program.

Answer 3

I had the same problem but with PyCharm. Unfortunately none of the mentioned answers worked for me. I am on an MacBook using a German layout keyboard. The Problem for me was a changed default setting in the terminal settings. I had to disable "Use Option as Meta Key". On a German Keyboard many "special" characters like [],@, {}, etc. are alt(option) Key-Combinations. I think this is true for other european keyboards as well. (I know for the suisse and the danisch for sure)

Answer 4

If your problem is happening all over Windows and you have two different active Keyboard Layouts, for example English and German, this is what worked for me (don't ask me why):

switch to english (win + space), and type a { there (shift + Key to the right of P).

now switch back to your original language and it should be working again

Answer 5

win10 Pycharm 2018.1.3

1. ctrl+shift+A
2. Registry
3. ENABLE "actionSystem.force.alt.gr", which was disabled initially

SOLVED for me!

Answer 6

Worked for me: While focus is on PyCharm then Ctrl+Shift+A (actions) -> Registry... and then enabling "actionSystem.force.alt.gr"

Answer 7

It worked for me by going to Ctrl+Shift+A (actions) -> Registry... and then disabling "actionSystem.force.alt.gr"

Answer 8

In my case it was caused by LaTeX plugin for IntelliJ IDEA. After its installation the 'Toggle Star' option key was set 'alt+shift+8' which coincides with { of my keyboard. Hence the solution is analogous to your own answer:

1) Open Keymap (double-shift and type keymap)

2) Expand: Main menu > LaTex

3) Right-click 'Toggle Star' and remove the mapping.

4) Apply + Ok

Answer 9

There are related issues on YouTrack: https://youtrack.jetbrains.com/issue/IDEA-177327, https://youtrack.jetbrains.com/issue/IDEA-91975 Problem should be fixed in IDEA 2018.3. By the way, you could try to add "actionSystem.force.alt.gr=true" option using "Help | Edit Custom Properties"

Answer 10

Guys I found a solution to BOTH of the problems So here are the solutions:

This applies for:
KeyBoards Without [ and { keys (I just English-UK ones have those keys)
and IntelliJ IDEA Deafult KeyMap (May work for some others)

For the "Can't type [ in IntelliJ IDEA":
1.Press Ctrl + Alt + S ,Alt Gr + S or Goto: File > Settings > KeyMap
2.Extend Folder:Main Menu, then folder Refactor and THEN folder Extract
3.Right-Click onto Field...
4.In the pop-up menu Click on Remove Ctrl + Alt + F

For the "Can't type { in IntelliJ IDEA":
1.Press Ctrl + Alt + S ,Alt Gr + S or Goto: File > Settings > KeyMap
2.Extend Folder:Main Menu, then folder Navigate and THEN folder Bookmarks
3.Right-Click onto Implementation(s)
4.In the pop-up menu Click on Remove Ctrl + Alt + B

Hope that helped You :D