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I would like to divide my Qt project into several directories because it is growing pretty large. However, when I click on browse in QtCreator, there is no 'Add directory' and no such thing in 'Add new'. Can this be done somehow?

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What is wrong with creating a sub-directory with your file manager? –  Ariya Hidayat Jul 24 '09 at 9:57
I can create dirs manually, but I don't see them then in project browser. –  gruszczy Jul 24 '09 at 10:31
@Ariya You should have at least up voted this as this is a feature available in most IDEs and people will be asking about it. –  Piotr Dobrogost Jul 24 '09 at 16:29
With all due respect but Qt-Creator sucks in usability (regarding user interface) As a developer if you see that someone has to ask how to add a subdirectory to a project in a public forum, then you know that there's a serious problem with that IDE. –  Edenshaw May 25 '13 at 16:31
@GabrielF quite easy...? it's fixed...? Why can't we just select "create directory" (or "add directory" to be in spirit of Creator) like in most IDEs. It's the basic functionality, which even most crappy editors have - you can create directory in notepad! There shouldn't be a "method" to do such simple, basic task - it should be obvious. –  doc Sep 19 '14 at 20:04

8 Answers 8

up vote 25 down vote accepted

One method you could use is to add a project include file for each sub directory.

Qt Creator displays these in the GUI in a nested fashion, and allows you to add files to them.


in project.pro


in folder1/include.pri

HEADERS += MyClass.h
SOURCES += MyClass.cpp


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Can I do this nesting from the IDE or do I have to manually set those files and dirs? –  gruszczy Jul 24 '09 at 12:19
I had a quick look, and I think you have to add the include files manually, but when adding new files to a project Qt Creator will allow you to add them to an include file rather than the main project file. –  Nick Jul 24 '09 at 12:30
OK, hopefully they will add this feature in new version. –  gruszczy Jul 24 '09 at 13:12
Please consider my answer : stackoverflow.com/questions/24959959/… –  Erowlin Jul 25 '14 at 17:34

Starting from version 1.2.90 Qt Creator shows subfolders which exist in project's folder as branches in project's tree if only Filter tree option is not set to Simplify tree.

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Just had the same issue, and found out a relatively simple answer.

All you need to do to move file.cpp to newFolder is to rename the file (right click -> Rename) to newFolder\file.cpp.

Qt Creator will move it to the new folder and automatically update the .pro file.

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don't forget that the folder should already exist before the replacement –  Anton Mar 18 '14 at 9:35

It only seems to be impossible to create sub-directories in QT-CREATOR.

Try the following:

  1. Create a number of sub-directories, with a file-explorer or by command line within the project-folder (for example net/, gui/, test/, data/ ...)!
  2. Move exisiting files into these new folders. And change their paths within the *.proj file!
  3. Create new also files from beginning within the new folders (By AddNew...)!

... QT-CREATOR displays only such folders which contain files that are written with their names into the *.pro or a *.pri file. At root level QT-CREATOR distinguishes between HEADERS, SOURCES, FORMS and OTHER FILES. Within these root folders you can find project-own subfolders, repeatedly. (Not covered in this text is splitting into sub-projects.)

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When you create a new Class in your Qt-Project, you can choose the path in this wizard and hereby specify new folders like DAL, BO, UI, ...

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Answer : How to create a folder or a subdirectory for a project in QtCreator?

Prior to QT Creator 3.1.x, you can right-click on your project -> "add new..." and change the path to the folder you want.

Qt add new...

Be careful the folder must exist, Qt will not create it for you.

Add a new class and change the default folder Qt

Qt takes care of the path in your .pro file.

Qt takes care of the path in your .pro file

Qt takes care of the path in your .pro file

That's it !

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It should be noted that this won't work when using CMake projects in QtCreator. –  Étienne Mar 20 at 15:36

You can create a sub-directory as long as you have a file you wish to create in it. Go to the parent directory, and "Add" a file to it. "Browse" for the location and create a new folder inside the browse window. Agreed, that is not quite intuitive.

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When my 'data' directory only had one sub-directory 'model' it just appeared as "data/model". After adding 'dao' as another sub-directory it displayed data with the traditional +/- manner to reveal model and dao.

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