How to: Launch Specific Files When Opening Templates
When you open a project template in the development environment, you may also want to display a specific source file. For example, when you create a Windows application, you might want to display a blank form or the default Windows form as a starting point for development.
A file can be opened in the following ways:
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The source code of a file can be opened in the code editor.
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The file can be opened in the Web browser.
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The file can be opened in the Help viewer.
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| If you are modifying an existing template, see How to: Update Existing Templates for more information. |
Opening a Source Code File for Editing
Use this procedure to open a source code file when a user creates a new project with the template.
To open a source code file for editing
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Locate the ProjectItem element in the .vstemplate file that includes the file you want opened.
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Set the OpenInEditor attribute to true for that element. For example:
<ProjectItem OpenInEditor="true">Class1.vb</ProjectItem>
You can also specify multiple files, as well as the order in which they will open.
To open multiple source code files for editing
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Locate the ProjectItem elements in the .vstemplate file that include the files you want opened.
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Set the OpenInEditor attribute to true for each element.
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Assign a value to the OpenOrder attribute for each element. For example:
<ProjectItem OpenInEditor="true" OpenOrder="10"> Class1.vb </ProjectItem> <ProjectItem OpenInEditor="true" OpenOrder="20"> Class2.vb </ProjectItem>Note Set the OpenOrder value in multiples of ten. In this example, Class1.vb opens first, followed by Class2.vb.
Opening a File in a Web Browser
Use this procedure to open a file in the Web browser when a project is created based on the template.
To open documentation when a template is loaded
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Locate the ProjectItem element that includes your documentation file in the template.
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Set the OpenInWebBrowser attribute to true on the ProjectItem element. For example:
<ProjectItem OpenInWebBrowser="true">Documentation.htm</ProjectItem>
Opening a File in the Help Viewer
You can use the OpenInHelpBrowser attribute to open files in the Help viewer.
To open a file in the Help viewer
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Locate the ProjectItem element in the .vstemplate file that includes the file you want opened.
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Set the OpenInHelpBrowser attribute to true for that element. For example:
<ProjectItem OpenInHelpBrowser="true">Doc.html</ProjectItem>
