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Create Custom BimlExpress Keyboard Shortcuts

Why Bind Shortcuts​

BimlExpress commands such as Check Biml for Errors and Generate SSIS Packages are usually invoked from a right click context menu. Visual Studio exposes every BimlExpress command to the standard Keyboard options page, which means any of them can be bound to a custom key chord and triggered from the keyboard.

Steps​

  1. Open Tools, then Options.
  2. Expand Environment, then select Keyboard.
  3. Type Biml in the Show commands containing box to filter the command list down to BimlExpress commands.
  4. Select the command to bind, click inside the Press shortcut keys box, and press the desired key chord. A two key chord such as Ctrl+Shift+C, Ctrl+Shift+B is allowed and helps avoid clashing with built in Visual Studio bindings.
  5. Click Assign, then OK.

The new shortcut takes effect immediately. While one or more Biml files are selected in Solution Explorer or open in the editor, pressing the chord runs the command. The chord also appears next to the command name in the BimlExpress toolbar menu and in the right click context menu, which makes it easier to remember.