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Adding Dynamic File Links to Components

InstallShield 2013

You can use the Components view to add dynamic file links to components in both Windows Installer–based and InstallScript-based projects. The procedure for creating dynamic file links differs, depending on which project type you are using.

Windows Installer–Based Projects

The following procedure applies to Basic MSI, DIM, InstallScript MSI, and Merge Module projects.

To add a dynamic link to a component:

1. In the View List under Organization, click Components.
2. In the Components explorer, expand the component for which you want to add dynamic file links, and then click the Files item under that component.
3. Right-click the Files pane and click Dynamic File Linking. The Modify Dynamic File Links dialog box opens.
4. Click the New Link button. The Dynamic File Link Settings dialog box opens. This dialog box is where you set the source folder for your link, indicate whether to include its subfolders and whether the files are self-registering, and specify which file types to include and exclude.
5. Click OK. Any file conflicts are resolved with prompts to overwrite existing files with the new versions. Click Yes to overwrite, No to retain the existing file version, or Cancel to exit the dialog box without saving any of your dynamic file link settings. You will also be warned if the folder contains no files, or if it is already in use in another dynamic link.

Your new file link details appear in the Files pane.

InstallScript-Based Projects

The following procedure applies to InstallScript and InstallScript Object projects.

To add a dynamic link to a component:

1. In the View List under Organization, click Components.
2. In the Components explorer, click the component that should contain the dynamic link.
3. Select the value of the Link Type property and click the ellipsis button (...). The Link Type dialog box opens.
4. Specify the folder that contains the files to include, and specify any other desired options.
5. Click OK.

Tip: You can also use the Files and Folders view to add dynamic file links. For more information, see Creating a Dynamic Link.

See Also

Limitations of Dynamic File Linking

Creating a Dynamic Link

InstallShield Help Library

June 2013

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