CODEWITHSUNDEEP
visual-studio-2012
JMK
JMK

Reputation: 28059

Add an already existing directory to a directory in Solution Explorer

I want to add an already existing directory to a directory in Solution Explorer, but whenever I right-click on the directory and select Add => Existing Item, I can only add individual files, but not directories.

How do I add an already existing directory to a directory inside a Project inside Solution Explorer?

Upvotes: 108

Views: 62762

Answers (7)

N_E
N_E

Reputation: 787

For those who had a hunch it could be done but weren't able to do it, NOTE: Drag Folder or Files ONTO the name of the Project Name in Solution Explorer in the least

Upvotes: 2

Daetrin
Daetrin

Reputation: 11

Expand the "Project" item in the menu bar and select "Show All Files". Then locate the folder you wish to add in the Solution Explorer (folders that are not currently included will be light grey with a dotted outline instead of the usual solid icon) right click the desired folder and select "Include in project"

Once finished select "Show All Files" from the Project menu again to return to the regular view.

(This is very similar to Radenko Zec's answer, but does not require the "Show All Files" button to already be present in a toolbar. I would just leave this as a response to his answer, but I don't currently have the reputation to leave comments.)

Upvotes: 1

Jabare Mitchell
Jabare Mitchell

Reputation: 141

When dealing with a solution level folder that has been removed for some reason, and now needs to be added back, open the .sln file in a text editor like notepad++.

Find your "FolderName" in the section that looks like this...

Project("{2150E333-8FDC-42A3-9474-1A3956D46DE8}") = "NewFolder1", "NewFolder1", "{73ED84FC-F250-4CCC-B267-34CEB67F2883}" EndProject

Delete from "Project" to "EndProject" ONLY for the specific Project/Folder you're having trouble with.

You may get a message in VS2012 that says your solution has been modified by an external source. Choose the option to "Discard" your changes for the external changes. Lastly, add your solution level folder, and add your project(s) to that folder as existing items, drag/drop them, or copy and paste them, according to your preference.

Upvotes: 2

Admiral
Admiral

Reputation: 41

Some other answers are missing an important point: if the folder is not in a project in the solution it is impossible to add the folder

This is the solution:

1) Add a new folder to the sln - it does not care that the folder already exists on the disk because this a virtual folder in the sln

2) Add the file to the folder using "add existing files"

Upvotes: 4

Chris
Chris

Reputation: 5605

Drag and drop the folder from Windows Explorer onto your Visual Studio solution window :)

Source here

or simply copy & paste into solution explorer.

Upvotes: 83

Radenko Zec
Radenko Zec

Reputation: 7669

Click the 'Show all files' button at the top of the Solution Explorer and right click the folder desired and select 'include in project'.

Show All Files button in VS2012 Solution Explorer

Upvotes: 178

Anthony Biagioli
Anthony Biagioli

Reputation: 241

VS 2012 seems to distinguish between 'Solution Folders', which are only folders containing either other solution folders, or containing project folders. The drag-and-drop works (with my settings) only for the project folders, and no for the solution folders. If I add a new solution folder, nothing happens on the machine. If I drag-and-drop a machine folder to the main Solution, it refuses to accept it. If I drag-and-drop the folder to a Solution Folder, I get an error message saying this cannot be done.

Upvotes: 11

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