Disable transitive PackageReference dependency for a specific MsBuild project

Question

I am migrating an old style MsBuild csproj project to using PackageReference format and have run into a problem with transitive dependencies.

Consider the following Project A reference NuGet package B and C, each containing one single assembly using PackageReference. On Build Project A uses IL merge to incorporate B as public symbols in the A assembly and C as internalized symbols. Project D have a project reference to A.

The transitive dependencies case D to reference A, B and C. When building D, compile errors of the type error CS0433: The type 'X' exists in both 'A' and 'B' occur.

Is there any way to force D to not add an explicit reference to B or C in the scenario above?

Answer 1

Disable transitive PackageReference dependency for a specific MsBuild project

If I understand you correct, you can try to use property <PrivateAssets>all</PrivateAssets>or PrivateAssets="all" for the PackageReference. If you have a package that's marked with private assets it merely prevents it from flowing to parent project or getting packed.

<PackageReference Include="B" Version="1.0.0" PrivateAssets="all">
<PackageReference Include="C" Version="1.0.0" PrivateAssets="all">

You can check the document Controlling dependency assets and this thread for some details.

Hope this helps.