How to compile and upload to an Arduino using Visual Studio

The standard Visual Studio "Build" options will build/compile for Arduino for either a single Arduino project or all Arduino projects in the current current solution.

The standard Visual Studio "Debug" options will upload (but not debug). "Start with or without" debugging will upload for the selected port and board. On the tools menu you can also override the serial upload and use a programmer instead.

To recap, all of the Visual Studio "build/debug" tool bar buttons, "build" menu items, "debug" menu items,  right click context project menu and keyboard shortcuts provide compile and upload for Arduino. For an example then press F5

If you have multiple arduino projects in a single solution you can right mouse menu on a project name to "Set As Startup Project". This governs which project is uploaded when clicking F5 or any of the standard "Start" commands in Visual Studio. The current start up project will be shown in bold in the Visual Studio solution explorer.

All of the above Visual Studio commands will automatically work with Arduino when an Arduino sketch is open. These commands work in the same way for all types of Visuaol Studio applications. The commands are described in more detail in the Microsoft Visual Studio help.

Code Error Tracking

Many code errors will be shown as you type or when you view your source code however some will become more obvious when you try to compile. When you compile you will see a status in the "Sketch Builder" output pane. Errors will also appear in the output pane.

You can drill down to the relevent source code of any errors by double clicking the respective line in the "Sketch Builder" output.

Tips & Bits

Pre-Release Debug Guide and Preview

Debug and power tools coming soon!!

Visual Assist X (VAX) - How to configure Arduino sketches as VAX C++ files. Refactor, Snipets, enhanced syntax colors, examples, suggestions and much much more. Only downside is that it costs $100.

Connect two or more arduinos and spy on the serial communication using visual studio and "Serial Echo"

How to prevent or remove Visual Studio pch folders

How to configure visual studio color coding for arduino source code

See more Examples

Multiple sketch projects and windows projects can co-exist in a single solution. Fully integrated. F5 Compile and upload (startup project). Build Project, Build Solution