How to apply XML File Transformations on a ClickOnce application through Azure DevOps release pipeline?

Question

My release pipeline deploys the application to multiple environments.

Based on the environment, I am trying to set up File Transformations to be executed, though I\'m n

Answer 1

How to apply XML File Transformations on a ClickOnce application through Azure DevOps release pipeline?

File Transform task should work well in your scenario if we can meet its prerequisites:

1.Make sure the transform file(app.Release.config) and the source file({nameOfApplication}.exe.config) are in same path.

2.Make sure your transform file has correct xdt syntax, sample here.

3.Choose latest 2.0-preview version of File Transform task instead of old 1.0.

4.Try using valid file name when setting Xml Transformation rules.(Use {nameOfApplication}.exe.config instead of *.exe.config)

In my opinion, #1 and #3 above are always the direct cause of the error Unable to apply transformation for the given package. Check them carefully!

Some details for above four tips:

1.In project file(xx.csproj) I have this content to make sure the transform file will be copied to output folder. So it will be in same folder with source file xxx.exe.config.

<Content Include="App.release.config" >
  <CopyToOutputDirectory>PreserveNewest</CopyToOutputDirectory>
</Content>

2.My test App.config:

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8" ?>
<configuration>
    <appSettings>
      <add key="IsPackage" value="false" />
    </appSettings>
    <startup> 
        <supportedRuntime version="v4.0" sku=".NETFramework,Version=v4.7" />
    </startup>
</configuration>

My test App.release.config:

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8" ?>
<configuration  xmlns:xdt="http://schemas.microsoft.com/XML-Document-Transform">
  <appSettings>
    <add xdt:Transform="Replace" xdt:Locator="Match(key)" key="IsPackage" value="true" />
  </appSettings>
</configuration>

3.Use latest version which fixes some issues:

4.According to some tests, valid name works better than something like *.exe.config when you already know the application name:

Hope all above helps :)