This procedure enables you to create a template using the Export Template wizard. For information on manually creating templates, see How to: Manually Create Project Templates.
Create a project.
Use only valid identifier characters when naming a project that will be the source for a template. A template exported from a project named with invalid characters can cause compilation errors in future projects based on the template. For more information on valid identifier characters, see Declared Element Names.
Edit the project until it is ready to be exported as a template.
As appropriate, edit the code files to indicate where parameter replacement should take place. For more information on parameter replacement, see How to: Substitute Parameters in a Template.
On the File menu, click Export Template. The Export Template wizard opens.
Click Project Template.
If you have more than one project in your current solution, select the project you want to export to a template.
Select the type of template that you want to create.
Click Next.
Select an icon for your template. This icon will appear in the New Project dialog box.
Enter a template name and description.
Click Finish. Your project is exported into a .zip file and placed in the specified output location, and, if selected, imported into Visual Studio.