How to Add Existing Files to Eclipse Projects

this tip sounds very basic, but still: i get asked about this about once a week. so it must be something non-obvious in eclipse then ;-): how to add existing files to an eclipse project. as with many things in eclipse, there is not a single way to do something. there are two basic ways to do this:

1. import
2. drag & drop
3. copy & paste

the first is the ‘official’ way in eclipse, the other two are much faster and easier :-).

1. import

to import one or multiple files, select the folder/project where i want to add the files, then use the menu file > import :

menu file import

alternatively, i can use the context menu:

import context menu

then use general > file system :

import from file system

in the next dialog, i can browse for the files and select them to be added:

importing files from filesystem

2. drag & drop

while the ‘import’ method is fine, i rarely use it: too many clicks! a easier way (at least under windows) is to drag & drop the files from the windows explorer:

drag and drop to add files

3. copy & paste

the third way is even easier:

1. select the files i want to add in the explorer/file manager, and copy them ( ctrl-c on windows)
2. paste them in the project/folder in eclipse ( ctrl-v on windows)

that last method does not advanced options like if i want to link to the files, see “ link to files and folders in eclipse “, but is definitely the fastest and easiest way.

happy adding :-)