Web.config add namespace not applied at file level

Question

I am referencing a class library in a web application project (both in same solution). Within the web pages of the web application, if I do this:

If MyValidation.CorrectEmailFormat(email) Then ...

...Visual Studio 2013 underlines the method, and suggests I import MyCompany.EmailMethods at the top of the page. If I do the Import, the page compiles and the method works okay.

However, because these methods are used extensively across the application, I don't want to add them at page level every time. So I headed for web.config, and did this:

<pages>
    <namespaces>
        <add namespace="MyCompany.EmailMethods" />
    </namespaces>
</pages>

However, VS is still prompting me to perform the Import at the top of every page, and the method is not recognised in the page without doing this. What I am doing wrong please? I assumed from MSDN and other sources this was the correct way to achieve this.

Web application is ASP.Net web pages (4.6).

Its Web forms, sorry I assumed that would be assumed from Web pages — EvilDr, Oct 13 '15 at 19:10
[Web Pages](http://www.asp.net/web-pages) is actually an entirely separate technology within ASP.NET. Web Pages uses Razor syntax to create pages. It's like [MVC](http://www.asp.net/mvc) without controllers. So [Web Forms](http://www.asp.net/web-forms) is important to specify. — mason, Oct 13 '15 at 19:12

score 1 · Accepted Answer · edited May 23 '17 at 12:29

1

The reference must be added to the Imported Namespace as described in the following SO post

add-a-namespace-reference-to-all-web-application-web-pages-in-a-different-project

It must be added in the project properties page at the bottom part titled Imported Namespaces

edited May 23 '17 at 12:29

Community

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1

answered Oct 13 '15 at 15:34

haraman

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That question is mine. The references are not visible in that dialog, which is weird because VS recommends importing them! – EvilDr Oct 13 '15 at 19:16
1

Try manually adding the namespace name in the TextBox just before Add User Import button. I hope you gave a visit to https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/3w4tctcf(v=vs.120).aspx . This page also says something about importing a namespace and a class in a namespace. – haraman Oct 13 '15 at 19:36
It worked! Amazingly simple, but bizarre that VS doesn't see potential References like it does in code... – EvilDr Oct 14 '15 at 09:19

score 0 · Answer 2 · answered Oct 13 '15 at 15:31

0

The <pages> directive applies to ASPX files only.

You need to use the equivalent directive for Razor:

<system.web.webPages.razor>
    <pages>
        <namespaces>
            <add namespace="MyCompany.EmailMethods" />

answered Oct 13 '15 at 15:31

SLaks

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It's not razor it's Web forms that's why I don't understand why it is not working – EvilDr Oct 13 '15 at 19:12

Web.config add namespace not applied at file level

2 Answers2