How to enable configSource attribute for Custom Configuration Section in .NET?

Question

following the wealth of information found here how can we get an external .config to work? I've tried the same setup I would use for an external appSettings file, but it is unable to find the file for my custom section.

<configSections>
...
    <section name="CustomSettings" type="Fully.Qualified.TypeName.CustomSettings, AssemblyName" />
</configSections>
<!-- this works -->
<CustomSettings attrib1="val1" attrib2="val2" .../>

however...

<!--this does not work-->
<CustomSettings configSource="someExternalFile.config"/>

where someExternalFile.config would contain

<CustomSettings attrib1="val1" attrib2="val2" .../>

any ideas?

abatishchev · Accepted Answer · 2011-04-06 11:17:43Z

23

The actual file, must be placed relative to the project output folder (by default "\bin\debug" or "bin\Release"

Also, The file in your project tree, look at the properties of the file, and make sure the "Copy to Output Directory" setting is set to "Copy Always" or "Copy if Newer"

EDIT: make sure the separate config file has an xml Element header. The entire file contents should read as follows:

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8" ?>
<CustomSettings attrib1="val1" attrib2="val2" .../>

edited Apr 6, 2011 at 11:17

abatishchev

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answered Dec 29, 2008 at 20:53

Charles Bretana

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1 Comment

Charles Bretana Over a year ago

make sure the file has an xml header elementy as shown in my edited answer... Also, are you getting an error that says "Unable to locate external file ... "

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