How many times have you wanted to write a test which uses a real file (xml, xslx, xls, txt etc.) and got stumped as to how to include it in your project, and in source control AND then pop it in your c:\ temp to reference a filepath. You generally want to do this as this is what a user would be doing in a real life situation and is precidely what you want for integration and regression level tests.

Here’s what to do:

1. Add your file to your solution/project (I like to create a solution folder, add the file there, and then link to this file in my project, again under a testresources folder or such*)
2. On the properties for this file keep the build action as “None” and Copy to Output Directory to “Copy Always”
3. In the project properties in the post-build event add the following line:
   copy "$(TargetDir)\resources\*.xlsx" c:\temp\
   
4. Build and hey presto! Your file is in your temp dir!

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