How to: Create a BDC model
Applies to: 
Visual Studio 
Visual Studio for Mac
Note
This article applies to Visual Studio 2017. If you're looking for the latest Visual Studio documentation, see Visual Studio documentation. We recommend upgrading to the latest version of Visual Studio. Download it here
You can create a Business Data Connectivity (BDC) model by using the template for that kind of item and then adding the model to any SharePoint project. For more information, see Create a business data connectivity model. For more information about how to design the model, see Design a business data connectivity model.
To create a BDC project
- On the menu bar, choose File > New > Project.
Note
If your IDE is set to use Visual Basic development settings, choose File > New Project.
The New Project dialog box opens.
Under either Visual Basic or Visual C#, choose Office/SharePoint, SharePoint Solutions.
In the Templates pane, choose the SharePoint 2013 - Empty Project item, and then choose the OK button.
The SharePoint Customization Wizard opens.
On the Specify the site and security level for debugging page, specify the URL of a SharePoint site on the local computer, choose the Deploy as farm solution option button, and then choose the Finish button.
You will test the model on the SharePoint site that you specified.
Important
You must deploy the project as a farm solution because BDC models support only farm solutions.
An empty SharePoint project is created.
On the menu bar, choose Project > Add New Item.
In the Add New Item dialog box, choose the Office/SharePoint node.
In the list of SharePoint templates, choose Business Data Connectivity Model (Farm Solution Only).
In the Name box, specify a name for the BDC model, and then choose the Add button.
A Business Data Connectivity Model item is added to the project. By default, the model appears in the BDC designer. For more information, see Create a business data connectivity model.