How can I filter unit tests in Visual Studio 2012 by category?

Question

I've switched to using VS 2012 and for most parts it is great. The problem is I can't find how to filter my unit test by category?

Answer 1

Assuming you have used the TestCategoryAttribute like this:

[TestMethod, TestCategory("MyTestCategory")]
public void MyTest() {}

In the Test Explorer window, to include a particular category, type this in the filter text box: Trait:"MyTestCategory"
To remove tests of a particular category, type this in the filter text box:
-Trait:"MyTestCategory"

You can filter out or include multiple categories. This allows you to filter out integration tests and automated UI tests in the Test Explorer window so that you can use the "Run Tests After Build" more effectively.

See here for more: http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/hh270865.aspx#BKMK_Searching_and_filtering_the_test_list

Answer 2

In the most recent Visual Studio 2012 CTP this feature has been added. The Test Explorer now has the option to group tests by traits (categories) and to filter by traits (categories) https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/hh270865.aspx

Answer 3

I too have been looking for this feature and as far as I can tell you can't filter by Category. I tried using a search filter Category:"categoryName", but that didn't work. It appears you can run by test categories from the command line (http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dd286683.aspx), and you can define which categories to run in a build (http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dd286595.aspx), but it does not appear possible from the IDE.

I was hoping to try out the default test tools of Visual Studio 2012, but with the reliance I have on test categories, the only option appears to be 3rd party commercial tools, such as JetBrains dotCover.