What is GitHub Issues?

GitHub Issues is an integrated issue tracking tool that is built into every repository on the GitHub platform. It is designed to be a part of the GitHub website, functioning as a service that is operational and accessible to users. This tool allows users to track and organize their work effectively, which is essential for efficient project management.

As a software tool, GitHub Issues emphasizes simplicity and is tailored specifically for developers. It allows users to express their thoughts and ideas using GitHub Flavored Markdown, enabling clear and formatted communication. Users can assign tasks to specific contributors, mention them in discussions, and use emojis to react to comments or updates, fostering a collaborative environment.

Moreover, GitHub Issues provides the functionality to clarify issues with attachments, videos, and the ability to reference related code elements such as commits, pull requests, and deploys. Users can manage complex issues by breaking them down into manageable tasks with task lists, and further organize their work using milestones and labels. Additionally, tracking relationships and dependencies between issues is a key feature that supports users in maintaining a clear overview of project progress and interconnected tasks.

Exporting GitHub Issues to a CSV File

Using GitHub CLI

To export all issues to a CSV file using the GitHub CLI, you can use the command gh issue list --limit 1000 --state all | tr '\t' ',' > issues.csv. This command will retrieve up to 1000 issues from your repository and save them in a CSV file using a comma delimiter.

Using the GitHub API with curl

If you need to export issues from a private repository, you will need to use the GitHub API. You can use curl to interact with the API and retrieve the issues data. The data can then be transformed and saved into a CSV file.

Using the hub Command-Line Wrapper

The hub command-line wrapper for GitHub also allows exporting issues to a CSV file. Run the appropriate hub commands to interact with the GitHub issues and redirect the output to a CSV file.

Using Power BI

Power BI can convert GitHub issues to a CSV file by querying the GitHub API. You can use Power BI's 'From JSON' option in Power Query and enter your GitHub username and password in the dialog box to authenticate. The issues data can be transformed to display as a single table in the Power Query Editor.

Using Excel Power Query

Excel's Power Query can access the GitHub API to fetch issues and transform them into a table format. You can authenticate with your GitHub credentials and use the 'From JSON' option to import and convert the data into a CSV format.

Using Python Scripts

For those comfortable with programming, GitHub issues can be converted to a CSV using a Python script. The script would interact with the GitHub API to fetch issues and save them in a CSV format.

Streamline Your Workflow with Sourcetable

Transitioning your GitHub issues into a spreadsheet doesn't need to be a multi-step process fraught with manual exports and imports. With Sourcetable, you can bypass the traditional export to CSV and directly sync your live GitHub data into a dynamic spreadsheet. This streamlined integration not only saves time but also ensures that your data is up-to-date, reflecting the latest changes and updates made on GitHub.

Sourcetable's ability to automatically pull in data from various sources, including GitHub, means that your spreadsheet will always have the latest information without any additional effort on your part. This is ideal for teams focused on automation and business intelligence, as it allows for real-time data analysis and decision-making. The familiar spreadsheet interface of Sourcetable ensures that querying and organizing your data remains straightforward and efficient, further enhancing your productivity.

Common Use Cases

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  Analyze issues from a macro view using Excel or CSV
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  Print the list of issues in a printer friendly format
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  Triage the backlog using a more robust project management tool
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  Provide exports of issues to an auditor for audit compliance

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you export GitHub issues to a CSV using the GitHub CLI?

Yes, the official GitHub CLI can export issues to CSV using the command gh issue list --limit 1000 --state all | tr 't' ',' > issues.csv.

Is there a way to export GitHub issues from the API directly to CSV?

The GitHub API can export issues to CSV. You can use the endpoint https://api.github.com/repos/owner/repo/issues?page=1&per_page=100 to retrieve issues in JSON format and then convert them to CSV.

How can you keep your exported GitHub issues CSV up to date?

Power BI is a good way to keep the spreadsheet up to date. It can directly access the GitHub API, import JSON data, and refresh it regularly.

Can you export issues from a private GitHub repository?

Yes, you can export issues from a private repository with curl using the command curl -i https://api.github.com/repos/repo-owner>/repo-name>/issues --header 'Authorization: token token>'.

What tool can be used if you need to export GitHub issues and you are not using the GitHub CLI?

The hub command-line wrapper for GitHub can be used to export issues to CSV with the command hub issue -f '%t,%l%n' > list.csv.