Generating a plain GUID in Visual Studio

Question

If I try using the "Create GUID" tool using "Tool" > "Create GUID", I get a box that has six different snippets which contains GUIDs. But it doesn't offer the option of providing only the GUID. Is there any way to do this?

I'm using Visual Studio Professional 2019, version 16.1.6, and .NET version 4.8.03761.

Raleighraley

You can find alternative ways from posts like kristian.hellang.com/generating-guids – Behave

Answer 1

You can use the following command (language C#) for my Visual Commander extension to insert a plain GUID:

public class C : VisualCommanderExt.ICommand
{
    public void Run(EnvDTE80.DTE2 DTE, Microsoft.VisualStudio.Shell.Package package) 
    {
        EnvDTE.TextSelection ts = DTE.ActiveDocument.Selection as EnvDTE.TextSelection;
        ts.Text = System.Guid.NewGuid().ToString();
    }
}

Alyce

Answer 2

Instead of installing a new extension (as mentioned in the other answers), you can just use a built-in tool in Visual Studio called "C# Interactive".

Here are the steps:

1. On VS open the "C# Interactive" window (if not opened) by
   pressing Ctrl+Q and typing "C# Interactive"
2. Type the following in the window and press enter:
   System.Guid.NewGuid().ToString()

And you'll get the result:

Note: In case you need it again, just hit Up Arrow button and the last command will reappear, so you don't need to type again.

---

P.S. Basically we just execute a C# code in the "C# Interactive" window.
You can modify the code there to whatever you want. For example, you can go further and generate a list of guids with by typing there a code like this:

> for (int i = 0; i < 100; i++)
{
    Console.WriteLine(Guid.NewGuid().ToString());
}

Kibosh

quiet complicated dont you think...Tools/Create GUID seams to be way easier – Methylene

Answer 3

The Create UID option is available by default in Professional and Enterprise versions. To have Create GUID functionality you can add the Create GUID tool yourself by following the below steps.

1. Go to the Visual Studio menu and click on Tools then External Tools.

2. The below model will pop up.

   Title: Create GUID
   Command: Powershell.exe
   Arguments: [guid]::NewGuid()
   Use Output Window: Check/True 
   

3. Click Apply then OK.

4. Now again go to VS Menu -> Tools and you'll be able to see the Create GUID option in the Tools menu.

5. Click on Create GUID and check the output window.

Louannlouanna

While this link may answer the question, it is better to include the essential parts of the answer here and provide the link for reference. Link-only answers can become invalid if the linked page changes. - From Review – Vernievernier

Dear these links are Images I Uploaded not allowed to post images as I am new to stackoverflow. – Louannlouanna

Can this generate multiple Guids in one action? Like it promts for how many Guids you want, and then it will print them via powershell? Is there a way to do that? – Whaling

Use this for uppercase GUID: [guid]::NewGuid().toString().ToUpper() – Choppy

Answer 4

Go to Tools > External Tools

Title: Create &GUID

Visual Studio 2022

Command: C:\Program Files\Microsoft Visual Studio\2022\Enterprise\Common7\Tools\guidgen.exe

Initial Directory: C:\Program Files\Microsoft Visual Studio\2022\Enterprise\Common7\Tools

Visual Studio 2019

Command: C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Visual Studio 14.0\Common7\Tools\guidgen.exe

Initial Directory: C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Visual Studio 14.0\Common7\Tools

It is possible that your directories may be different. Just search for "guidgen.exe" if you have issues finding it.

Now you can go Tools > Create Guid and see:

Skeg

Any reason why you use the & sign in the title? I think the title value is optional. – Whaling

Answer 5

Install this extension: Insert Guid by Mads Kristensen (works with Visual Studio 2017, 2019, 2022).

And you will have a new entry in the Edit menu (with the shortcut Ctrl + K, Ctrl + Space):

That will insert a GUID exactly in the point you are in the code.

Lankford

As long as you have this extension installed: Insert Guid by Mads Kristensen – Roundel

Thanks Paul, I missed that. – Lankford

Answer 6

Adding my version of the External Tool solution. This version is based on @MMUNEEBALI solution but extends it by copying the GUID to the clipboard.

• Title: NEW GUID (Clipboard)
• Command: Powershell.exe
• Arguments: $guid = (New-Guid).Guid; Set-Clipboard $guid; Write-Host New GUID [$guid] copied!
• Use Output Window: Check/True
• Close on exit: Check/True

Hoodwink

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