title: Local window shows empty Variables while debugging SSIS package in VS Data tools 2012
body: <p>This has been bothering me for a long time.  I am unable to debug SSIS package efficiently because the <strong>Variables</strong> collection of SSIS package is always empty.</p>
  
  <p>SS of Locals window showing blank value for <code>Variables</code> collection variable</p>
  
  <p><a href="https://i.stack.imgur.com/uJowP.png" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.stack.imgur.com/uJowP.png" alt="After expanding variables node"></a></p>
  
  <p><strong><em>Updated</strong> after userfl89 gave an alternative solution</em>
  Also, the watch window is showing <em>unable to evaluate the expression</em> error message</p>
  
  <p><a href="https://i.stack.imgur.com/G47rx.png" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.stack.imgur.com/G47rx.png" alt="enter image description here"></a></p>
  
  <p>I found a similar issue in general VS development environments (C#, VB.NET) and tried suggestions/answers. For example, changing Debug->Options->Debugging-> check Managed c++ compatibility mode (see ss below) but it did not work for me.</p>
  
  <p>SS of debugging setting:</p>
  
  <p>I have also tried to run in both 64bit mode and 32bit mode, but this also did not work. However, I can see variable values inside script task written in C# code. It has become a painful task to debug packages. Please someone help.
  <a href="https://i.stack.imgur.com/dAjtW.png" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.stack.imgur.com/dAjtW.png" alt="Debugging settings"></a></p>
  
  <p>Environment: 
  Windows 7 Enterprise (64bit)
  Visual studio 2012 for Data Tools (version 11.0.6xxx)
  .Net Framework 4.6</p>
  
  <p><a href="https://i.stack.imgur.com/Ibbfj.png" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.stack.imgur.com/Ibbfj.png" alt="enter image description here"></a></p>