topic Programmatically Add a folder to the Add-In folder locations in ArcObjects SDK Questions

Programmatically Add a folder to the Add-In folder locations

AlainProulx — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 17:03:10 GMT

Hey Guys,

Anybody know how to add a folder to the "Add-In" folder locations found in the Customize-> Add-In Manager->Options tab using .Net/ArcObjects? Even if I knew where this info is stored like in the registry or in a preferences file? I looked everywhere in the registry and folders and can't find it anywhere.

Any Ideas?

Thanks
Al

Re: Programmatically Add a folder to the Add-In folder locations

PedroAbreu — Wed, 22 Sep 2010 13:27:09 GMT

Hi Alain,

I'm having a similiar problem... Did you find how to do it?

Re: Programmatically Add a folder to the Add-In folder locations

Kylie — Tue, 28 Sep 2010 16:00:02 GMT

If an administer you can use registry settings to specify additional folders. See the very bottom of http://help.arcgis.com/en/sdk/10.0/arcobjects_net/conceptualhelp/index.html#/Advanced_add_in_concepts/0001000004n7000000/.

However, I'd love to see a bit more about what you are trying to do. Why do you need to add the folder list programmatically? And when are you doing so? Add-ins are processed at the application startup, so it might be too late to load your add-ins.

Re: Programmatically Add a folder to the Add-In folder locations

RobChasan — Thu, 30 Sep 2010 19:15:23 GMT

Kylie,

Let me give you an example of how programmatically via ArcObjects changing the addins location could be useful.

Suppose you are in an environment where you need to have access to certain "well known" locations, but in fact you don't know all or any of which are available to you. This might be because you are not necessarily a "gis" person, rather you use ArcMap as a business tool and all the functionality you need has been programmed in for you. Now, also suppose that the admins have, for example, set up a table structure that consists of the users, their workgroups and the directories each is allowed to access.

So, the first time you get into ArcMap you push a button and it sets up your add-in directories for you. Or maybe every time you go into ArcMap, it checks your directories against the table and effects any changes that my have happened. (This could also be because you may be accessing ArcMap from different machines and the settings necessarily have to be re-established.)

And I can tell you that messing with the registry is something we prefer not to do. In some environments, it is forbidden.

This is only one example and for sure other users could probably come up with better ones.
In our place, we try to insulate the users from having to know where anything is. Most of them have no clue as to how the various directories and connections are configured and they don't want to (or need to) know -- their business specialties are elsewhere. If they did have to do all the configuring by themselves, then they would be less likely to use the software. This way, with a single program and a single point of administration, the organization benefits from automated efficiencies.

I hope this answers your question.

Rob

Re: Programmatically Add a folder to the Add-In folder locations

Kylie — Mon, 04 Oct 2010 14:39:01 GMT

Thanks Rob! I will pass along that info.

Re: Programmatically Add a folder to the Add-In folder locations

SJChen — Tue, 26 Oct 2010 18:47:13 GMT

When will this "Add" function be available?

Moreover, how to retrieve all available add-in paths in the "Add-In folder"?

Re: Programmatically Add a folder to the Add-In folder locations

SJChen — Tue, 09 Nov 2010 20:44:39 GMT

Got the reply from ESRI Technical support, both functions are not supported yet as today.

Re: Programmatically Add a folder to the Add-In folder locations

XiaolingYang — Thu, 11 Nov 2010 15:34:13 GMT

At Desktop 10.0, it is not possible to programmatically retrieve all available add-in folders.
However, the add-in folders list is saved at C:\Documents and Settings\<user name>\Local Settings\Application Data\ESRI\ArcGISSettings.xml. You can parse the xml file if needed.

Hope this helps.

-Xiaoling