Including a NuGet package in an Azure function written in the Portal

Question

I have created a new Azure function in the portal, and wanted to use the WindowsAzure.Storage NuGet package. Given that the default template is created with:

#r "Newtonsoft.Json"

I thought I could do this:

#r "WindowsAzure.Storage" 

However, when I do, I get the error:

[Error] run.csx(2,1): error CS0006: Metadata file 'WindowsAzure.Storage' could not be found

I can't see anywhere else that Newtonsoft.Json is being referenced.

How can I include this NuGet package in my function (without building this is VS or VS Code and deploying it). Also, what, exactly does the #r directive do, if not bring in external libraries and packages?

Answer 1

Ok so everytime i create a Function app i mostly use VS Code or Visual Studio just for the intellisense and easiness of work. To add a nuget from the Azure portal

1. Click on View Files and add a function.proj

2. Now add the below piece of code with any nuget do you need.

    <Project Sdk="Microsoft.NET.Sdk">
    <PropertyGroup>
        <TargetFramework>netstandard2.0</TargetFramework>
      </PropertyGroup>

      <ItemGroup>
        <PackageReference Include="WindowsAzure.Storage" Version="9.3.3"/>
      </ItemGroup>
    </Project>

upon saving this you should see the console update stating that the packages are getting installed. This really isn't well documented in the microsoft docs

Answer 2

There is correction in namespace

#r "Microsoft.WindowsAzure.Storage"

and not #r "WindowsAzure.Storage"

You can refer - https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/azure-functions/functions-reference-csharp#binding-to-arguments

Answer 3

Try with #r "Microsoft.WindowsAzure.Storage"

You can also upload a custom dll into the function app by Kudu tools. And then you can refer the dll by #r "path to dll"