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How to: Use a Visualizer

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You can use a visualizer to display the contents of a variable or object in a way that is meaningful for the data type. You can use visualizers from DataTips, a Watch window, the Autos window, or the Locals window.

Visualizers are not supported on the Compact Framework.

Note

In Store apps, only the standard text, HTML, XML, and JSON visualizers are supported. Custom (user-created) visualizers are not supported.

To open a visualizer

  1. Click the magnifying glass icon that appears next to a variable name in DataTips, a Watch window, or in the Autos, Locals, or Quick Watch window.

    A list of visualizers is displayed.

  2. Click the visualizer you want to use.

To use a visualizer for managed code during remote debugging

  • Copy the visualizer DLL to the remote computer before you start the debugging session.

    The path to the DLL must be the same on both the remote and the local computers. This path can be either of the following locations:

    Visual Studio install path \Common7\Packages\Debugger\Visualizers

    -or-

    My Documents\Visual Studio 2010\Visualizers Visual Studio Version \Visualizers

See Also

Create Custom Visualizers
How to: Install a Visualizer
How to: Write a Visualizer
View data values in Data Tips