IntelliSense in notebook cells

Python cells explain the code you're writing, as Fabric and Databricks notebooks do. Everything comes from the notebook's own kernel and the app on this PC: there's no AI service, nothing is sent anywhere, and looking at a name never runs code.

Hover a name#

Rest the mouse on a function, class, module or variable in a Python cell. A card shows:

• for a function or class: its signature (read_csv(source, *, has_header=True, ...)) and the start of its documentation;
• for a variable: its type and a short preview of its value. Values of names that look like secrets (password, token, key...) or that came from notebookutils.credentials show as hidden.

The card comes from objects the kernel already has, so run the cell that defines a name before hovering it. Attributes that are computed when read (properties) are never read for a hover.

Signature help#

While you type a call's arguments, a card above the cursor shows the parameters with the one you're typing in bold, and the first paragraph of its docs. It follows commas and name= keywords, and works across lines. Press Esc to close it.

After a call's result (df.write.mode("overwrite").saveAsTable() the kernel can't know the object without running the code, so there's no signature help there.

Docs in the autocomplete list#

Ctrl+Space (or typing) lists names from the kernel; the highlighted one shows its signature and docs beside the list.

Syntax errors as you type#

A Python syntax error gets a red underline a moment after you stop typing; hover it for Python's message. Cells in another language (%%sql, %%html) aren't checked, and notebook syntax such as %run, %pip, !command and x = %sql ... isn't an error. Validate still checks the whole notebook, including names used before they're defined.

When it isn't there#

• With Runs on: Fabric, the kernel on this PC isn't used, so hover, signature help and docs in the list are off; the syntax check still works.
• With the notebook running in its own process (Settings), hovering before you've run any cell shows nothing, because no process has started yet.