Pass Variables to External Tools

You can specify that certain information is passed to a command when it is launched, such as command line switches for console applications.

Fill in the Arguments box with the necessary launch arguments, either manually or using the auto-fill button.

The auto-fill argument button can provide you with the macros described in the table below.

Table 1. External Tools Macros
Name	Argument	Description
Item Path	`$(ItemPath)`	The complete filename of the current source (defined as drive + path + filename); blank if a non-source window is active.
Item Directory	`$(ItemDir)`	The directory of the current source (defined as drive + path); blank if a non-source window is active.
Item File Name	`$(ItemFilename)`	The filename of the current source (defined as filename); blank if a non-source window is active.
Item Extension	`$(ItemExt)`	The filename extension of the current source.
Current Line	`$(CurLine)`	The current line position of the cursor in the editor.
Current Column	`$(CurCol)`	The current column position of the cursor in the editor.
Current Text	`$(CurText)`	The selected text.
Target Path	`$(TargetPath)`	The complete filename of the item to be built, (defined as drive + path + filename).
Target Directory	`$(TargetDir)`	The directory of the item to be built.
Target Name	`$(TargetName)`	The filename of the item to be built.
Target Extension	`$(TargetExt)`	The filename extension of the item to be built.
Binary Directory	`$(BinDir)`	The final location of the binary that is being built (defined as drive + path).
Project Directory	`$(ProjectDir)`	The directory of the current project (defined as drive + path).
Project filename	`$(ProjectFileName)`	The filename of the current project (defined as drive + path + filename).
Solution Directory	`$(SolutionDir)`	The directory of the current solution (defined as drive + path).
Solution filename	`$(SolutionFileName)`	The filename of the current solution (defined as drive + path + filename).