How to Insert Custom Text with a Shortcut in PyCharm

by Brian D'Alessandro

When writing image analysis python scripts, or running simple things in the Python Console, I'm very often typing the same import statements over and over.

I thought it would be really great to have a shortcut to automatically insert the lines I normally use at the beginning of every script, and save myself a little bit of typing. This is possible to do in PyCharm, but wasn't immediately obvious.

First, you need to "record" the text you want to insert as a macro:

  1. Edit > Macros > Start Macro Recording
  2. Type your desired text (in the console or editor). For me this was: import cv2 as cv
  3. Edit > Macros > Stop Macro Recording
  4. Give it a name.

Next, you need to assign your new macro to a shortcut:

  1. File > Settings > Keymap
  2. Under the Macros folder, you should see the name of the macro you just created
  3. Right-click the macro & click "Add Keyboard Shortcut"
  4. Assign a shortcut (I chose F12)

That's it! Now when you hit your shortcut in the console or editor it will auto-type your text! Easy!