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# Quick Tip: Force IntelliSense to Appear When Writing VBA
- URL: https://nolongerset.com/quick-tip-intellisense/
- Published: 2022-02-18T23:46:57.000Z
- Updated: 2026-05-08T12:59:33.000Z
- Description: Does the IntelliSense dropdown ever disappear when you're writing VBA? Do you backspace and re-type the dot to get it back? There's a better way.
- Author: Mike Wolfe
- Tags: Quick Tip, #Import 2026-05-20 02:59

Did you know there is a keyboard shortcut that forces the IntelliSense dropdown to appear when writing VBA?

> ***TIP:* \[Ctrl\] + \[Spacebar\]** will force the IntelliSense dropdown to appear.

When would this be useful? After all, IntelliSense normally appears automatically. The following steps will demonstrate the usefulness of this keyboard shortcut:

### Typical IntelliSense Usage

1. Go to the Immediate Window
2. Type `DoCmd.`
3. The IntelliSense dropdown appears:

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/eb/d7/ebd732c1-5f03-4f07-b386-5d08557e15c9/content/images/2022/02/image-95.png)

Ah, sweet, sweet IntelliSense!

### Making IntelliSense Disappear

1. Type `DoCmd.Beep` then press \[Spacebar\] to add a space and force the dropdown to close
2. Now press \[Backspace\] five times to delete the space and the letters `Beep`
3. You should now see `DoCmd.` but without the IntelliSense dropdown:

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/eb/d7/ebd732c1-5f03-4f07-b386-5d08557e15c9/content/images/2022/02/image-97.png)

Where's my IntelliSense?!?!

### Bringing IntelliSense Back From the Dead

1. Ensure your cursor is still to the right of the period in `DoCmd.`
2. Press **\[Ctrl\] + \[Spacebar\]**
3. The IntelliSense is back!

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/eb/d7/ebd732c1-5f03-4f07-b386-5d08557e15c9/content/images/2022/02/image-98.png)

I missed you old friend. Never leave me again.

## Not Working?

There are a several reasons why IntelliSense might not appear when you're writing VBA. Here are a few:

- There is a compile error in your code *(press \[Alt\] + \[D\], \[L\] to force a compile and reveal the error)*
- There are no methods or properties to show for the object you are working with *(this often trips people up when switching from [early to late binding to automate Office applications](https://nolongerset.com/early-binding-vs-late-binding/); variables defined `As Object` will not have any IntelliSense)*
- There is only one possible IntelliSense match *(in this case, instead of showing the IntelliSense dropdown, the text will simply autocomplete immediately)*

I'm sure there are other scenarios I'm leaving out, but these are three common cases.