Namespace or type specified in the Imports 'iTextSharp.text.SimpleTable' error

Question

I am using Visual Studio Pro 2005 trying to access iTextSharp.dll to convert HTML to PDF. The problem is that VS will not recognize the DLL returning this message:

"Namespace or type specified in the Imports 'iTextSharp.text' doesn't contain any public member or cannot be found. Make sure the namespace or the type is defined and contains at least one public member. Make sure the imported element name doesn't use any aliases."

This prevents any access to the object in my .Net VB code. iTextSharp version is 5.4.0 I downloaded today.

The problem is in both the components needed:

• Imports iTextSharp.text
• Imports iTextSharp.text.pdf

Any ideas?

Answer 1

I had a similar problem with CuteFM32.dll. The reference in the VB.NET project was pointing to \obj\debug\interop.cuteformcolib.dll but I think that when I ran the Build > Clean solution command it removed the dll and thus the reference was no longer valid. Note that 'Copy Local' was set to False for the reference to this DLL.

Fortunately simply removing and adding the reference worked for me but I had to turn on 'Show All files' in order to see that the imported DLL was missing.

Answer 2

Since the reference works with a new project, make a new project and add all your classes, forms, etc., checking that the reference still works as you go. Either you will add everything and the problem is solved, or you will find what created issues.