What is Azure DevOps?

Azure DevOps is a set of processes and a culture of collaboration that unites developers, project managers, and contributors in the endeavor of developing software. It is a software development service designed to foster faster and more efficient creation and improvement of products compared to traditional software development methodologies. By enabling a seamless collaboration, Azure DevOps serves as a cornerstone for modern software development practices.

Offering flexibility, Azure DevOps can be utilized either through Azure DevOps Services in the cloud or Azure DevOps Server on-premises. This versatility ensures that organizations can choose the deployment that best fits their security, scalability, and infrastructure needs. Azure DevOps is not only a tool but also a comprehensive service that integrates various features accessible via a web browser or an IDE client, enhancing the development workflow.

The service extends its capabilities by supporting the addition of extensions and integration with a wide range of popular services, including direct integration with GitHub.com and GitHub Enterprise Server repositories. These integrations and extensions provide an expansive ecosystem that enriches the Azure DevOps environment, making it a robust platform for software development teams.

Azure DevOps Plugins for Excel

Azure DevOps Excel Plugin Features

The Azure DevOps Excel plugin is an essential tool that integrates with Microsoft Excel to provide a range of functionalities for handling work items. It allows users to add or modify work items in bulk using Excel, leveraging the familiar spreadsheet interface to manage tasks efficiently. The plugin is compatible with Azure Boards but is not functional on macOS. It requires Microsoft Excel 2010 or later versions and the Azure DevOps Office Integration 2019 plugin to operate effectively.

Users can connect to Azure Boards using only the free version of Visual Studio with this plugin. It supports adding links and attachments, utilizing native Excel features like summing columns, and allows for easy data manipulation with copy-pasting and fill down options. The plugin also supports list and query types, enabling users to add, modify, publish, and refresh work items using a flat list or a nested list, and also to sort work items. Additionally, it provides the capability to organize work items into a tree hierarchy using indent/outdent icons, publish changes, and delete tree levels.

Azure DevOps Excel Integration

Azure DevOps Excel integration extends the functionality of Excel to work seamlessly with Azure Boards, Azure DevOps Server, and Team Foundation Server (TFS). It necessitates the Azure DevOps Office Integration 2019 for a smooth integration. This feature of Excel is free and can be installed via Visual Studio. It facilitates connecting to Azure Boards and Azure DevOps Server directly from Excel.

While Excel does not support linking to remote work items, it does allow users to add or remove columns, work with tree lists, publish changes to work items, and resolve any invalid links that may occur. Importantly, it enables bulk updates of work items through query lists and toggling between flat and tree lists. Users can also add user accounts to person-named fields and create reports from flat-list queries, enhancing Excel's capabilities for project management and reporting in an Azure DevOps environment.

Azure DevOps Excel Add-in

The Azure DevOps Excel add-in builds on the features of the Excel plugin and integration, providing additional capabilities for users with Microsoft Excel 2010 or later, as well as Office Excel 365. This add-in is available at no cost and can be installed with the Azure DevOps Office Integration installer or the Azure DevOps Standalone Office Integration installer.

With the Azure DevOps Excel add-in, users can perform a range of actions such as adding or modifying work items in bulk, adding links and attachments to multiple work items, and utilizing Excel's native features to support other actions. Furthermore, it provides the functionality to demote or promote work items within a tree list, making it easier to manage and reorganize the hierarchy of tasks directly within Excel.

Common Use Cases

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  Bulk management of work items
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  Scheduling and tracking of automated test runs
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  Managing CI/CD workflows
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  Project management and sprint planning
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  Legacy application management and microservices transformation

Frequently Asked Questions

What versions of Excel are compatible with the Azure DevOps Excel plugin?

The Azure DevOps Excel plugin is compatible with Microsoft Excel 2010 or later versions, including Microsoft Office Excel 365.

How can I connect an existing Excel workbook to Azure DevOps?

To connect an existing Excel workbook to Azure DevOps, the Azure DevOps Office Integration add-in is required, and specific instructions must be followed.

Can I delete work items directly from Excel using the Azure DevOps Excel plugin?

No, it is not possible to delete work items directly from Excel using the Azure DevOps Excel plugin.

Is it possible to bulk edit hierarchical links in Excel with the Azure DevOps Excel plugin?

Yes, only hierarchical links can be bulk-edited in Excel with the Azure DevOps Excel plugin; other link types require different tools or commands.

How do I resolve publishing errors when using the Azure DevOps Excel plugin?

Publishing errors within the Azure DevOps Excel plugin can be resolved by following specific guidelines provided in the text.