Behavior and Logic View

InstallShield 2026

Project: The Behavior and Logic view is available in the following project types:

Advanced UI
Basic MSI
DIM
InstallScript
InstallScript MSI
InstallScript Object
Merge Module
MSI Database
MSM Database
Suite/Advanced UI
Transform

By adding custom actions; sequencing actions and dialogs; adding support files; using InstallScript; searching the target system for required files, folders, or other elements; or configuring Windows Installer properties, you can design any custom functionality that your installation requires.

InstallScript

Project: The InstallScript view is available in the following project types:

Basic MSI
InstallScript
InstallScript MSI
InstallScript Object
Merge Module
Suite/Advanced UI

InstallScript is an installation authoring language that is similar to the C programming language. The InstallScript view provides you with a script editor pane in which you can create and edit your scripts.

Custom Actions and Sequences

Project: The Custom Actions and Sequences view is available in the following project types:

Basic MSI
InstallScript MSI
MSI Database
Transform

Sequences direct all the actions that are performed during installation, from file transfer to displaying the user interface. Use the Custom Actions and Sequences view to sequence the actions and dialogs in your project.

If Windows Installer does not directly support functionality that is required by your installation program, you can extend your installation program through the use of custom actions in the Custom Actions and Sequences view.

Custom Actions

Project: The Custom Actions view is available in the following project types:

DIM
Merge Module
MSM Database

Although merge modules do support the use of custom actions, sequences are not defined through a dedicated view in merge module projects.

Tip:You can control the launch of custom actions in a merge module by modifying the ModuleInstallExecuteSequence table in the Direct Editor. When you add the merge module to your installation project, all custom actions and dialogs included in the merge module are available for you to insert in the installation's sequences via the Custom Actions and Sequences view.

Support Files/Billboards

Project: The Support Files view is available in the following project types:

Advanced UI
Basic MSI
InstallScript Object
Suite/Advanced UI

The Support Files/Billboards view is available in the following project types:

InstallScript
InstallScript MSI

Support Files

The Support Files view lets you add, sort, and delete support files—files that are required by your installation project only during the installation process.

Billboards

The Billboards area in the Support Files/Billboards view lets you add billboards to your project. Billboards are images that are displayed for a specified amount of time while your installation runs. You can use billboards to provide information about the product being installed or to entertain the end user during the installation process.

System Search

Project: The System Search view is available in the following project types:

Basic MSI
DIM
InstallScript MSI
Merge Module
MSI Database
MSM Database
Transform

Use the System Search view to search for a particular file, folder, registry key, or .ini value on the target system prior to an installation.

Property Manager

Project: The Property Manager view is available in the following project types:

Advanced UI
Basic MSI
DIM
InstallScript MSI
Merge Module
MSI Database
MSM Database
Suite/Advanced UI
Transform

In Basic MSI, DIM, InstallScript MSI, Merge Module, MSI Database, MSM Database, and Transform projects, the Property Manager view enables you to edit the Property table from within the InstallShield interface. Windows Installer properties give you access to many machine-specific variables such as the user’s name or company.

In Advanced UI and Suite/Advanced UI projects, the Property Manager view lets you set Advanced UI or Suite/Advanced UI properties that you want to be available to the Advanced UI or Suite/Advanced UI installation at run time.

See Also