Some examples:
Case 1:
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Query:
SELECT * FROM `<ctrl+space>
Expect:
Dropdown of tables
Result:
A blank dropdown
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Case 2:
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Query:
SELECT * FROM <ctrl+space>
Expect:
Dropdown of tables
Result:
Dropdown of tables
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Case 3:
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Query:
SELECT <ctrl+space> FROM `table` WHERE ...
SELECT <ctrl+space> FROM table WHERE ...
Expect:
Dropdown of columns from table
Result:
Dropdown of everything _except_ columns from the table. :)
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So case 1, it freaks out on backticks.
Case 2 seems fine, but...
Case 3 is the result of autocomplete being a bit "dumb", for lack of a better word.
In case three, the table (and therefore the structure) is 100% understood, and autocomplete has been called between "SELECT" and "FROM". Given those conditions, it would be a reasonable assumption that the user wishes to know the available columns to use.
This is a really long-winded way of saying that if autocomplete were a little more clever, I'd probably use the feature. Whenever I think about trying it, it's very off-putting spending time on it to figure out what I need isn't actually an option at all.
That, and I use backticks. LOTS OF BACKTICKS. :)