Copying files into the application folder at compile time

Question

If I have some files I want to copy from my project into the .\\bin\\debug\\ folder on compilation, then it seems I have to put them into the root of the projec

Answer 1

You want to use a Post-Build event on your project. You can specify the output there and there are macro values for frequently used things like project path, item name, etc.

Answer 2

Personally I prefer this way.

Modify the .csproj to add

<ItemGroup>
    <ContentWithTargetPath Include="ConfigFiles\MyFirstConfigFile.txt">
      <CopyToOutputDirectory>PreserveNewest</CopyToOutputDirectory>
      <TargetPath>%(Filename)%(Extension)</TargetPath>
    </ContentWithTargetPath>
</ItemGroup>

or generalizing, if you want to copy all subfolders and files, you could do:

<ItemGroup>
    <ContentWithTargetPath Include="ConfigFiles\**">
      <CopyToOutputDirectory>PreserveNewest</CopyToOutputDirectory>
      <TargetPath>%(RecursiveDIr)\%(Filename)%(Extension)</TargetPath>
    </ContentWithTargetPath>
</ItemGroup>

Answer 3

You can use the PostBuild event of the project. After the build is completed, you can run a DOS batch file and copy the desired files to your desired folder.

Answer 4

You can also put the files or links into the root of the solution explorer and then set the files properties:

Build action = Content

and

Copy to Output Directory = Copy if newer (for example)

For a link drag the file from the windows explorer into the solution explorer holding down the shift and control keys.

Answer 5

You could do this with a post build event. Set the files to no action on compile, then in the macro copy the files to the directory you want.

Here's a post build Macro that I think will work by copying all files in a directory called Configuration to the root build folder:

copy $(ProjectDir)Configuration\* $(ProjectDir)$(OutDir)

Answer 6

copy from subfolder to subfolder

 if not exist "$(ProjectDir)$(OutDir)subfolder" mkdir "$(ProjectDir)$(OutDir)subfolder"

 copy "$(ProjectDir)subfolder\"  "$(ProjectDir)$(OutDir)subfolder\"