List of MSBuild built-in variables

Question

How can I get a list of built-in MSBuild variables?

I need to know how to determine the current project's csproj name, and thought it might be useful to know what else I can find out in MSBuild.

Answer 1

Comprehensive lists from Microsoft Docs (New Docs):

• Common macros for MSBuild commands and properties

Comprehensive lists from MSDN (Legacy Docs):

• MSBuild reserved properties
• Common MSBuild properties
• Macros for Build Commands and Properties

Other useful lists:

• Well-known item metadata
• MSBuild special characters

First link shows the MSBuild property for project name:

MSBuildProjectName The file name of the project file without the file name extension

Answer 2

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/c02as0cs(loband).aspx

Answer 3

These properties can also be defined by 3rd-party tools so to get the complete list I just use (in a C++ project for example): Properties -> Configuration Properties -> General -> then on the Output or Intermediate Directory drop down choose Edit... and you should see a list of all defined properties.

Answer 4

This seems like a pretty thorough list: Common macros for MSBuild commands and properties

Answer 5

There are also Agent and Build predefined variables for pipelines: https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/devops/pipelines/build/variables?view=azure-devops&tabs=yaml. These are the variables I was looking for when I came across this article, so I thought I'd pass the link along when I finally found them.

Answer 6

I would also include a list of List of Common Properties and Parameters for MSBuild.

Also, the properties depend on which version of MSBuild you are using. There are 3 versions.