Can you organize imports for an entire project in eclipse with a keystroke?

java

eclipse-configuration

import-management

productivity-tips

byAnton Shumikhin·Aug 28, 2024

Here's an easy way to organize imports across your entire Eclipse project:

Open Project Explorer and select your project.
Use CTRL + SHIFT + O (CMD + SHIFT + O on Mac). All Java files' imports will get cleaned and arranged instantaneously. Make sure you've adjusted your preferred import order in Eclipse preferences before you begin.

Eclipse save actions to automate organization

Automate the organization of imports during file save:

Head to Window > Preferences > Java > Editor > Save Actions.
Enable Perform the selected actions on save.
Within this, select Organize imports.

Now, every time you save, the imports get automatically managed, eliminating manual cleanup.

Managing imports in packages and projects

When working with a specific package or a group of files within a project:

Choose the package or files in the Project Explorer.
Right-click and navigate to Source ⟶ Organize Imports.

This action cleans only the files you've chosen, giving you more control over your codebase organization.

Project-wide consistency with code clean-up

To maintain uniform coding standards project-wide, use the Source > Clean Up option. This feature enforces not just clean imports, but also indentation, white spaces, and other code quality measures:

Right-click your project.
Go to Source ⟶ Clean Up.
Customize your clean-up profile.

Following these steps ensures a standardized code quality across all contributors to the project.

Special case for Android projects

For Android projects, remember to check your AndroidManifest.xml after organizing your imports. Updates in package names might necessitate changes in AndroidManifest.xml. Once you've organized your imports:

Review AndroidManifest.xml for necessary updates.
Run a clean and rebuild to identify and fix any discrepancies.

Customizing import ordering in Eclipse

Personalize the order and rules for how Eclipse organizes your imports:

Navigate to Window > Preferences > Java > Code Style > Organize Imports.
Set your desired import order and other relevant settings.

This customization makes the import organization process conform to your project's or team's coding conventions.

Boosting productivity in Eclipse

Here are some hot tips to maximize your productivity in Eclipse:

Consolidate large projects into manageable chunks using working sets to group relevant parts.
Get cozy with Eclipse shortcuts for quick code navigation and editing like Ctrl + O for quick outline and Ctrl + E for fast switching between editors.
Keep track of important code sections and tasks within your project using the Task List and Bookmarks feature.