In IPython's QT console (on Windows 7), if I type:
import scipy
scipy.zeros(
followed by Tab, it displays basic documentation for the method, like its signature, parameters, description, etc. In PyCharm CE 3.4.1, I have IPython enabled as my console, but this doesn't happen. The same is true in the actual editor; if I type this code in the editor, nothing shows up. I don't think this is related to the issue in this question (where PyCharm can't tell the type of something because it's not actually running it) but maybe it is.
In pycharm you have ctrl-q (or ctrl-j on a mac) for a quick-doc of the function under the cursor.
Ctrl + P
to show method signature (parameters) as a pop-up.
other shortcut keys for pycharm are all available here.
Very old post but it's still a problem.
To see the function docstring, like what TAB in IPython shows, you should press Ctrl+Shift+I or go to View > Quick Definition while the cursor is within the function name (not between the parenthesis). A pop-up window shows the function docstring including few lines of the function code. However, it's not perfect and may not work in some cases, like pandas.read_csv().
If you are looking for Mac shortcut it's Command + P (⌘+P)
, accepted answer's solution didn't work.