# Adding custom resources to the Visual Studio 2003 “Add Resource” dialog box

*2007-06-21*

> Add reusable dialogs and images to Visual Studio .NET 2003’s Add Resource dialog by copying them into the mfc.rct resource template file.

I sometimes create resources, such as dialog boxes and images, that I want to reuse in other projects.

You can make these resources available as templates in Visual Studio .NET 2003’s **Add Resource** dialog box:

1. Open the following resource template file in Visual Studio .NET 2003:

    ```text
    C:\Program Files\Microsoft Visual Studio .NET 2003\Vc7\VCResourceTemplates\1033\mfc.rct
    ```

2. Open the resource file containing the resource you want to reuse.
3. Right-click the resource and select **Copy**, then paste it into `mfc.rct`. Alternatively, hold **Ctrl** while dragging the selected resource into `mfc.rct` to copy it.
4. Save `mfc.rct`.

**Note:** The path to `mfc.rct` may differ depending on your Visual Studio .NET 2003 installation.