10.5.1 Add an External Tool to the Tools Menu

You can add a command to the Tools menu to start another application, such as Notepad, from within the integrated development environment (IDE).

Figure 10-4. External Tool Dialog

The dialog contains a list box listing all previously defined external tools. If you have not defined any tool, the list box will be empty.

  • On the Tools menu, choose External Tools
  • In the External Tools dialog box, choose Add, and enter a name for the menu option in the Title box
    Tip:

    Type an ampersand before one of the letters in the tool name to create an accelerator key for the command when it appears on the Tools menu. For example, if you use M&y External Tool, the letter 'y' will be the accelerator key. See Assign a Keyboard Shortcut for more information.

  • In the Command box, enter the path to the file you intend to launch or choose Browse (...) to navigate to the file. File types that you can launch include .exe, .bat, .com, .cmd, and .pif.
    Note: If the file resides on the system path, enter just the filename. If not, enter the full path to the file.
  • Select Use output window and Close on exit, as appropriate, and then choose OK