Question: When I create an executable jar with dependencies (using [this guide](https://stackoverflow.com/questions/1814526/problem-building-executable-jar-with-maven/1814697#1814697)), all properties files are packaged into that jar too. How to stop it from happening? Thanks.

UPDATE: I tried to exclude them using the [Maven resources plugin](http://maven.apache.org/plugins/maven-resources-plugin/examples/include-exclude.html), but then my application won't find the properties files when I run it in Eclipse (right click on the module -> Run As -> Java Application)

UPDATE: Thanks for your useful answers. I think I'd better spend time to learn Maven, for now I just choose the simplest solution.

Answer: 
By convention, the directory `src/main/resources` contains the resources that will be used by the application. So Maven will include them in the final `JAR`.

Thus in your application, you will access them using the `getResourceAsStream()` method, as the resources are loaded in the classpath.

If you need to have them outside your application, do not store them in `src/main/resources` as they will be bundled by Maven. Of course, you can exclude them (using the link given by *chkal*) but it is better to create another directory (for example `src/main/external-resources`) in order to keep the conventions regarding the `src/main/resources` directory.

In the latter case, you will have to deliver the resources independently as your JAR file (this can be achieved by using the Assembly plugin). If you need to access them in your Eclipse environment, go to the `Properties` of your project, then in `Java Build Path` in `Sources` tab, add the folder (for example `src/main/external-resources`). Eclipse will then add this directory in the classpath.
Do you mean to property files located in `src/main/resources`? Then you should exclude them using the maven-resource-plugin. See the following page for details:

<http://maven.apache.org/plugins/maven-resources-plugin/examples/include-exclude.html>