New IsWiX Setup Project fails to build - undefined preprocessor variable

Question

I am attempting to use WiX Toolset to create a deployment project. I am using Visual Studio.NET 2010 SP1, WiX 3.7, and IsWix 2.0.13013.4. I am using .NET framework 4.0.

I created the directory structure provided below.

C:\Projects\ExcelXLL\Installer

C:\Projects\ExcelXLL\Installer\Deploy

I added an IsWix Setup Project under the Installer directory in the path C:\Projects\ExcelXLL\Installer\ExcelXLL64Deploy.

If I attempt to compile the setup project, I get the exception:

Error 1 Undefined preprocessor variable '$(var.ExcelXLL64DeployMM.TargetPath)'. C:\Projects\ExcelXLL\Installer\ExcelXLL64Deploy\Code\Features.wxs 16 1 ExcelXLL64Deploy

What am I doing wrong or is there an issue with either IsWix or Wix?

Answer 1

The IsWiX project templates assume you'll create an MSI project called Foo and a MSM project called FooMM. These assumptions are meant to automate and template as much as possible and can be changed to your tastes.

After creating the projects, you then add a reference from Foo to FooMM. This then resolves $(var.FooMM.TargetPath).

You can watch a short, silent walkthrough video here.

If you have additional questions, feel free to email me. And thanks for using IsWiX. :)

Update: We now have tutorials.