Go to definition and back to reference in Visual Studio Code

Question

I'm currently using VSCode and am trying to use the F12 shortcut which takes me to a definition of an object/function. When I want to go back to the reference, I can't seem to find the right way to do it. With VS community I used Shift + F12.

I've try different combinations, such as Alt + F12 or Shift + F12 but all I get is a peek definition of the element which is not useful at all; it's just a popup showing the same element in the same file I'm at. I've seen answers to this question but pertaining to VS 2010 which are no longer applicable or doesn't work with VSCode.

Question: What is the shortcut to Go Back once you've used F12 to Go to the definition?

• Gabriel Staples: Adjacently related: How I can make ctrl + click to go to definition in visual studio code editor for mac OS?

Answer 1

For macOS it is ⌃- (Ctrl + -) by default. And for Windows: (Alt + LeftArrow)

• Joep: (Alt + LeftArrow) does not work on Windows
• Debu Shinobi: If it doesn't go to vscode setting then shortcuts. Search for Go Back command and bind it with Alt + LeftArrow. For it was default setting.
• snowskeleton: this works on macOS

Answer 2

According to the vscode keyboard shortcuts documentation page, the navigateBack action defaults to Ctrl+Alt+-.

In my keybindings.json file, I've rebound it to ctrl+- using:

{ "key": "ctrl+-", "command": "workbench.action.navigateBack" }

• Pablo: I'm not sure but I think that takes you back/forward to where your cursor/highlight text was last, as opposed to toggling between object and definition.

Answer 3

You can open the Keyboard Shortcuts to find the shortcuts.

Preferences> Keyboard Shortcuts

Search for Go, and it’ll show the Go Back and Go Forward shortcuts.

In macOS:

Go Back: ⌃- (Ctrl+-)

Go Forward: ⌃⇧- (Ctrl+shift+-)

[
 {
 "command": "workbench.action.navigateBack",
 "key": "ctrl+-"
 },
 {
 "command": "workbench.action.navigateForward",
 "key": "ctrl+shift+-"
 }
]

Answer 4

Shift + F12 should be working for you. There is a box on the right of the peek view which lists all the references. You are seeing the peek view to the reference you went to (the definition) but on the right are more. That boundary between the two can be dragged left and right so perhaps yours is not visible - trying dragging the peek view box right boundary to the left after you hit Shift+F12. Do you see a list of references there? Double-clicking the one you started from originally will take you back to it.

Edit:

v1.29 added some nice functionality for listing the references in the sidebar. See references view.

List All References in the context menu or Shift+Alt+F12

Results are stable and individual results can be cleared, which is great if you use the view as a To Do list. You can use F4 and Shift+F4 to navigate through results without taking your hands off the keyboard.

• Pablo: Thanks Mark, you're right. Although it now seems to be working. For some reason I wasn't getting that extra content you mention in that box. It would've been nice for Shift + F12 to have taken you straight to the file it refers to instead of that popup (as VS community does) but, I guess, it's perhaps a matter of taste. Maybe I'm yet to discover how to do it.

Answer 5

The keyboard shortcut commands are Go Forward and Go Back.

---

On Windows:

Alt + ← ... navigate back

Alt + → ... navigate forward

On Mac:

Ctrl + - ... navigate back

Ctrl + Shift + - ... navigate forward

On Ubuntu Linux:

Ctrl + Alt + - .., navigate back

Ctrl + Shift + - ... navigate forward

ref

Answer 6

ALT + Left Arrow and ALT + Right Arrow worked for me. VS code listed all shortcuts in pdf keyboard-shortcuts-windows.pdf. To see all keyboard shortcuts go to menu bar Help->Keyboard Shortcuts Reference. It will open pdf that contains all shortcuts.enter image description here

• Yukulélé: alt + F12 on linux
• GShaik: These shortcuts will be changing with respect to versions and OS. In my Ubuntu System, with Version 1.60.2, 'Ctrl+Alt+-' did the job. So Better open the help page and verify.

Answer 7

For those using the VSCodeVim extension, it would be Ctrl + o and Ctrl + i

Answer 8

Alt + Left arrow worked for me or Go menu and then Back.

Answer 9

Try goto-symbol-stack.

This extension implements a stack tracking the positions only when the goto-definition is triggered by Alt+], and allows the user go back to the reference using Alt+[. No annoying cursor movement in the stock navigation(Alt+←).

• bobbogo: This is the only correct answer! Alt + ← is not the inverse of F12! I often go to the definition of a symbol, have a look round, and then want to return to the start of my excursion without visiting all the intermediate stops.

Answer 10

An alternative approach is to use the Ctrl+Alt+Click shortcut, which will open the definition in a new pane to the right. This can then be closed with the usual Ctrl+F4 key combination.

Answer 11

1.Go Definition - F12 or Right click and Click Go to Definition Option

2.Back to Reference - Alt + Left Arrow

Answer 12

Go to definition F12

Back to declaration Ctrl + F12

• bobbogo: Only works properly if you only have a single use of the variable in sight!
• RukshanJS: this rocks. Thanks. Only this worked for me in 2024 Jan

Answer 13

Next : Ctrl + F12

Back : Alt + LeftRow (<--)

For Windows is working.

Answer 14

I have a similar problem. Fix it by installing this JDK 8 to VSCode

Answer 15

In Version: 1.62.3 under Ubuntu:
it's just F12 again

it's bound to both:

• Go to Definition
  and
• goToNextReference

Answer 16

For C++, with clangd extension, without intellisense I have:

• kept F12 mapped to Go to Definition
• remapped Ctrl + F12 to Go to Declaration (removed pre-existing mappings on Ctrl + F12 which where not useful).

Note: with clangd extension Alt + O is mapped to clangd: Switch Between Source/Header which can also be useful.

Answer 17

First, make sure you have Python plugins installed.