Error message when you try to build an InfoPath 2007 form project: "The file cannot be opened because it is being used by the Microsoft Office InfoPath Designer"

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SYMPTOMS

Consider the following scenario. You are working on a Microsoft Office InfoPath 2007 form project in Microsoft Visual Studio 2005 Tools for the Microsoft Office System. You have the Manifest.xsf file open in the Designer. In this scenario, you receive the following error message when you try to build or to debug the InfoPath form project:

The file cannot be opened because it is being used by the Microsoft Office InfoPath Designer. Use the Microsoft Office InfoPath Designer to edit this file as part of the form template, or close the Microsoft Office InfoPath Designer to edit the file directly.

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CAUSE

This issue occurs when the project contains a referenced assembly that has dependencies. When the Manifest.xsf file is open, Visual Studio Tools for Office cannot verify these dependencies. Therefore, Visual Studio Tools for Office may remove them. When the Manifest.xsf file is closed, Visual Studio Tools for Office can verify these dependencies.

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