Find out which reference is clicked in a Visual Studio extension

Question

I'm developing a Visual Studio extension where I add elements to the right click (context) menu of the references in a project. This is done by defining a Group with the parent of IDM_VS_CTXT_REFERENCE.

I want to show-hide the menu elements depending on which reference was clicked, so I define my menu item as an OleMenuCommand:

if (commandService != null)
{
    var menuCommandID = new CommandID(CommandSet, CommandId);
    var menuItem = new OleMenuCommand(this.MenuItemCallback, menuCommandID);

    menuItem.BeforeQueryStatus += (sender, args) =>
    {
        var button = (OleMenuCommand)sender;
        button.Visible = this.CommandVisible();
    };

    commandService.AddCommand(menuItem);
}

I have trouble implementing the CommandVisible method. Let's say for the example's sake that I want to show the menu if the reference's name starts with A. How would I do that?

I feel like I'm trapped in interop hell stumbling blindly over arbitrary ids, guids and non-existant/incomprehensible documentation.

I have managed to dig out the project my reference is in as an IVsProject and some id for the reference, but calling GetMkDocument returns nothing (it works with files in the project but not with references).

How do I do this? Where can I find documentation on how to do this?

GetMkDocument is only valid for actual documents, the references are just a visual aid and are not actually files. I'm running some tests to see if I can help you out. — Paul Swetz, Jul 14 '16 at 13:56
Work came up but I took it as far as you got, the key is going to be using the IVsHierarchy methods using the itemid. I think you are on the right track. — Paul Swetz, Jul 14 '16 at 14:59

Paul Swetz · Accepted Answer · 2016-07-14T18:58:47.520

Finally got it. Once you have the IVsHierarchy and itemid of the selected item this line will get you the name you want in the out param.

hierarchy.GetProperty(itemid, (int)__VSHPROPID.VSHPROPID_Name, out name);

full code

object name;
uint  itemid = VSConstants.VSITEMID_NIL;
IVsMultiItemSelect multiItemSelect = null;
IntPtr hierarchyPtr = IntPtr.Zero;
IntPtr selectionContainerPtr = IntPtr.Zero;
try
{
    var monitorSelection = Package.GetGlobalService( typeof( SVsShellMonitorSelection ) ) as IVsMonitorSelection;
    monitorSelection.GetCurrentSelection( out hierarchyPtr, out itemid, out multiItemSelect, out selectionContainerPtr );
    hierarchy = Marshal.GetObjectForIUnknown( hierarchyPtr ) as IVsHierarchy;    
    hierarchy.GetProperty(itemid, (int)__VSHPROPID.VSHPROPID_Name, out name);
}finally
{
     if (selectionContainerPtr != IntPtr.Zero)
         Marshal.Release( selectionContainerPtr );

      if (hierarchyPtr != IntPtr.Zero)
          Marshal.Release( hierarchyPtr );
}

Find out which reference is clicked in a Visual Studio extension

1 Answers1