How to Create a Feature in SharePoint 2010 - Step by Step

In this article, I'm demonstrating how to create a feature in SharePoint 2010 using Visual Studio 2010 in 10 easy steps:

Step 1: Create a new project in Visual Studio 2010, Choose SharePoint 2010 - Empty SharePoint Project Template, Name the project. Here I've named it as: Crescent.TitleChanger.Feature

 Step 2: Enter the existing SharePoint 2010 site's URL for debugging, Choose the solution type as "Deploy as a farm solution"

On clicking Finish button, Visual Studio will create a project structure as below.

 Step 3: Right click the Features node, Choose "Add Feature"

Step 4: This will add a feature with name "Feature1" to the project. Rename "Feature1", it give it some meaning . I've named it as "Crescent.TitleChanger"

 Step 5: Change the Title, Descriptions of the feature accordingly. Set the Scope of the project to "Web"

Step 6: Add a Event Receiver to the project by right clicking "Crescent.TitleChanger" and choose "Add Event Receiver"

 Now, we'll get the Feature code(Crescent.EventReceiver.CS) added to our project.

Step 7: Open the Feature's event receiver code, Un-comment These two methods:

• FeatureActivated  - We'll place the code to change the Site title to "Feature Activated" inside.
• FeatureDeactivating  - To change the Site title to "Feature De-Activated"

 Step 8. Update the code for Feature receiver as:

        public override void FeatureActivated(SPFeatureReceiverProperties properties)
        {
            using(SPWeb web = (SPWeb)properties.Feature.Parent)
                {
                  //Change the Web's Title Property and update 
                    web.Title = "Feature Activated";
                    web.Update();
                }
        }

        public override void FeatureDeactivating(SPFeatureReceiverProperties properties)
        {
            using (SPWeb web = (SPWeb)properties.Feature.Parent)
            {
                //Set the Title from Property
                web.Title = "Feature De-Activated"; 
                web.Update();
            }
        } 

Step 9: Build and deploy the Project
Step 10: Activate the feature by going to Site Actions >> Site Settings >> Manage Site Features
Click on "Activate" next to our feature "Crescent - Title Changer"

 See it in action! Site title has been changed to "Feature Activated" That's all! we've created a custom feature in SharePoint 2010!!