How to Read Embedded Resource Text File in C#

Add Folder and File

First, we’ll add a folder named files to the Project. Then we’ll add the file embedded within that folder by utilizing the Add -> Existing Item option that can be found in the Context Menu of the Solution Explorer, as shown below.

It will allow us to add the file embedded within the folder.

After the files that are going to be embedded have been added, you will need to right-click the File, then click on the Properties.

Now, follow the screenshot below to change the value of the Build Action attribute from Content to the embedded resource.

Create Windows Form

First, add a TextBox to windows form and name it txtTextBoxfrom its Properties.

Now, add a button named btnText and show Read Embed Text text on the button as shown below:

Write Windows Form Code

First, we’ve to import the following libraries:

using System;
using System.Collections.Generic;
using System.ComponentModel;
using System.Data;
using System.Drawing;
using System.Linq;
using System.Text;
using System.Threading.Tasks;
using System.Windows.Forms;
using System.IO;
using System.Reflection;

By right-clicking on the Read Embed Text button to create its event, here, we’ll write button code as follows:

We’ll create an Assembly method object named assembly:

var asmbly = Assembly.GetExecutingAssembly();

Then, we’ll create a var type variable named filepath. This variable will hold the text file path.

var filePath = "ReadEmbedTextbyZeeshan.files.Shani.txt";

Lastly, We’ll show embedded file text using StreamReader, which will read a text file from the given path.

using (Stream s = asmbly.GetManifestResourceStream(filePath)) using (
    StreamReader sr = new StreamReader(s)) {
  txtTextBox.Text = sr.ReadToEnd();
}

Complete Source Code

using System;
using System.Collections.Generic;
using System.ComponentModel;
using System.Data;
using System.Drawing;
using System.Linq;
using System.Text;
using System.Threading.Tasks;
using System.Windows.Forms;
using System.IO;
using System.Reflection;

namespace ReadEmbedTextbyZeeshan {
  public partial class Form1 : Form {
    public Form1() {
      InitializeComponent();
    }
    private void btnText_Click(object sender, EventArgs e) {
      var asmbly = Assembly.GetExecutingAssembly();
      var filePath = "ReadEmbedTextbyZeeshan.files.Shani.txt";
      using (Stream s = asmbly.GetManifestResourceStream(filePath)) using (
          StreamReader sr = new StreamReader(s)) {
        txtTextBox.Text = sr.ReadToEnd();
      }
    }
  }
}

When we click on the Read Embed Text button, it will show the below output:

Output: