Sql-server – SSMS shortcut to navigate between open query windows

keyboard shortcutssql serversql-server-2008ssms

I sometimes have a large amount of query windows open in SSMS 2008.

Is there a keyboard shortcut to navigate between open query windows? Go to previous/next open query window?

I know there is Ctrl+Tab that allows you to select a query window, but it's only helpful if you have named windows.

Best Answer

SSMS 2008

Ctrl+F6 will switch between two most recent tabs. And honestly, Ctrl+Tab / Ctrl+Shift+Tab work like next/previous except you have to hit Tab twice (you can ignore knowing what the name of the tab in the list is).

That said, have you considered upgrading to SQL Server 2012 Management Studio? A lot of its features are much more refined than the 2008 version (and you will still be able to manage your 2008 servers). A challenge you'll find here is what does "next" really mean? Since you can tear off tabs, split the UI, even move tabs onto different monitors, I think "next" and "previous" lose a little meaning unless you know what order they were opened in...

SSMS 2012

  • Ctrl+F6 will cycle through open tabs in the order they are displayed, and Ctrl+Shift+F6 will cycle in the reverse direction.
  • Ctrl+Tab / Ctrl+Shift+Tab will open a temporary window and allow you to cycle through open queries in the order they were last opened.
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