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### YamlMime:FAQ
metadata:
title: Work in Excel connected to Azure Boards FAQs
description: Learn answers to frequently asked questions about Excel and Azure Boards.
titleSuffix: Azure Boards
ms.service: azure-devops-boards
ms.author: chcomley
author: chcomley
ms.topic: faq
monikerRange: '<= azure-devops'
ms.date: 09/29/2025
title: FAQs about working in Excel connected to Azure Boards
summary: |
[!INCLUDE [version-lt-eq-azure-devops](../../../includes/version-lt-eq-azure-devops.md)]
Find answers to common questions about using Microsoft Excel to add or modify work items in Azure DevOps.
If you experience connection issues, confirm you meet the prerequisites in [Bulk add or modify work items with Excel](bulk-add-modify-work-items-excel.md). For more information, see [Azure Boards and Office integration](track-work.md).
::: moniker range="<=azure-devops"
> [!TIP]
> For bulk imports or updates, we recommend using the [web portal](../bulk-modify-work-items.md) or the [CSV import](../../queries/import-work-items-from-csv.md).
::: moniker-end
sections:
- name: Connect and versioning support
questions:
- question: What do I need to use Excel to add or modify work items?
answer: |
Install the Azure DevOps Office Integration add-in from the [Downloads page, Other Tools, and Frameworks](https://visualstudio.microsoft.com/downloads/#other-family). The add-in typically installs with Visual Studio or Team Explorer. Use Microsoft Excel 2010 or later, including Microsoft 365 (Excel).
> [!IMPORTANT]
> Microsoft Project Integration and the **TFSFieldMapping** command aren't supported for:
> - Visual Studio 2019 with Azure DevOps Office® Integration 2019
> - Azure DevOps Server 2020 and later, including Azure DevOps Services
>
> Use the supported Excel integration instead.
After you install the add-in, open Excel and confirm the **Team** ribbon appears.
- question: Can I use Excel on my Mac?
answer: |
No. macOS isn't supported. Excel on macOS can't connect to Azure DevOps via the Office add-in.
- question: Can I open a query in Excel from the web portal?
answer: |
Yes. Install the [Azure DevOps Open in Excel](https://marketplace.visualstudio.com/items?itemName=blueprint.vsts-open-work-items-in-excel) Marketplace extension to open a query directly from the web portal. Alternatively, open Excel ([Bulk add or modify work items with Excel](bulk-add-modify-work-items-excel.md)) and then open a query you created in the web portal or Team Explorer.
> [!div class="mx-imgBorder"]
> 
- question: Can I import or update work items without using Excel?
answer: |
::: moniker range="<=azure-devops"
Yes. Use the web portal for bulk imports/updates ([Import work items](../../queries/import-work-items-from-csv.md)).
::: moniker-end
- question: How do I connect an existing Excel workbook to Azure DevOps?
answer: |
See [Connect Azure Boards to an Office client](track-work.md) for step-by-step instructions.
- question: How do I share an Excel workbook that has work items?
answer: |
Disconnect the workbook from Azure DevOps before sharing to avoid accidental publishes. You can disconnect, share or work offline, and reconnect later. See [Connect Azure Boards to an Office client, Disconnect a document file from the network](track-work.md).
- question: How do I connect when special protocols are in use on my network?
answer: |
If your network uses TLS 1.1 or TLS 1.2 restrictions, you might see connection issues. To resolve them, see [Allowed address lists and network connections, Domain URLs to allow](../../../organizations/security/allow-list-ip-url.md).
- question: How do I disable the Team menu?
answer: |
To disable the add-in, follow the Microsoft Office guidance: [Add or remove add-ins](https://support.office.com/article/Add-or-remove-add-ins-0af570c4-5cf3-4fa9-9b88-403625a0b460).
- name: Unsupported queries
questions:
- question: What query macros aren't supported in Excel?
answer: |
The following macros only work in the web portal: **@CurrentIteration**, **@CurrentIteration +/- n**, **@Follows**, **@MyRecentActivity**, **@RecentMentions**, **@RecentProjectActivity**, **@TeamAreas**. Queries that contain these macros don't work when opened in Visual Studio/Team Explorer, Excel, or Project.
- question: Can I view queries that list work items from different team projects?
answer: |
No. Excel shows work items only from the team project the workbook connects to. If you try to open a cross-project query, you receive error TF208015. To view items from other team projects, create a separate query and open it in a different workbook; each workbook connects to a single team project.
- name: Work with linked work items
questions:
- question: How do I publish a tree list?
answer: |
Follow the instructions in [Bulk add or modify work items with Excel, Import work items, tree list](bulk-add-modify-work-items-excel.md#tree-lists)
- question: Why does my direct-links query appear as a flat list in Excel?
answer: |
The add-in converts direct-links queries to a flat list in Excel. You can modify fields and add work items, but Excel doesn't show or let you edit link relationships for direct-links queries.
- question: Can I bulk-edit link types other than hierarchical links?
answer: |
No. Excel supports adding and modifying hierarchical (parent-child) links only. To edit other link types in bulk, use:
::: moniker range="=azure-devops-2022"
- The web portal to map backlog items to portfolio items ([Organize your backlog](../../backlogs/organize-backlog.md))
- The web portal or Team Explorer to modify parent-child links by dragging items in a hierarchical backlog or tree query ([Reparent items](../../backlogs/organize-backlog.md#reparent))
::: moniker-end
- The Azure CLI: `az boards work-item relation add` (/cli/azure/boards/work-item/relation).
- name: Work with test work items
questions:
- question: Can I bulk add or edit test cases with Excel?
answer: |
No. Excel can't export or import test case steps or other test artifacts. Use the web portal grid view to bulk edit test cases ([Use the grid view to edit test cases](../../../test/create-test-cases.md#use-the-grid-view-to-edit-test-cases)).
> [!div class="mx-imgBorder"]
> 
- name: Publish and refresh
questions:
- question: How can I show more fields in Excel?
answer: |
Start a worksheet with **New List** to get default columns, then choose **Choose Columns** on the Team menu to add fields. If you start from an existing query, you see the query's columns; you can add more columns via **Choose Columns**, but that action doesn't change the underlying query.
> [!div class="mx-imgBorder"]
> 
- question: How do I resolve publishing issues?
answer: |
Troubleshoot the specific error:
- Resolve data conflicts: [Resolve data conflicts](resolve-excel-data-conflicts-publish-refresh.md)
- Resolve data validation errors: [Resolve data validation errors](resolve-excel-data-validation-errors.md)
- Address inaccuracies in summary values: [Address inaccuracies published for summary values](../../../report/sql-reports/address-inaccuracies-published-for-summary-values.md)
- question: How do I resolve invalid links in a tree list?
answer: |
When Excel finds an invalid link during publish, the **Work Item Publishing Errors** dialog lists the problem and row number. The tree must be valid before publishing. Common errors include missing titles or misplaced titles in the wrong title column.
To update work items, be a member of the **Contributors** group or have **View work items in this node** and **Edit work items in this node** permissions set to **Allow**. See [Change project-level permissions](../../../organizations/security/change-project-level-permissions.md).
Common error fixes:
- TF208000: Duplicate titles—remove duplicates so only one title column contains a value, then Publish.
- TF208001: Child disconnected from parent—move the title to the correct column, then Publish.
- TF208017: Missing Title 1 in the first row—add or move the correct title into Title 1, then Publish.
- TF208022: Can't publish a sorted tree list—clear sorting or refresh the list to restore the hierarchy; re-establish parent-child relationships before publishing.
- TF208102: Excel sort on a tree list—sorting can remove hierarchy changes; publish field changes and then Refresh to restore hierarchy.
- TF208104: Hierarchical link Relationship is locked—locked links (for example, synchronized with Project Server) prevent changes to hierarchy; modify locked links from the enterprise project plan or use supported workflows.
To restore hierarchy after resolving issues:
1. Publish your field changes (Team tab > Publish).
2. Choose Refresh to restore the tree hierarchy.
- question: Can I delete work items from Excel?
answer: |
::: moniker range="azure-devops"
No. You can't delete work items from Excel. Delete work items from the web portal or use the Azure CLI: `az boards work-item delete`. See [Move, change, or delete work items](../../backlogs/remove-delete-work-items.md#delete-work-items).
::: moniker-end
::: moniker range="< azure-devops"
No. You can't delete work items from Excel. Delete work items from the web portal or use **witadmin** on server versions. See [Remove or delete work items](../../backlogs/remove-delete-work-items.md#delete-work-items).
::: moniker-end
- name: Use built-in Excel functions
questions:
- question: Can I use multiple worksheets within Excel?
answer: |
Yes. Each worksheet can contain a different input list or query, but all worksheets in a workbook must connect to the same project or collection. To work with a different project, open a new workbook.
- question: Can I use Excel cut and paste functions?
answer: |
Yes. Excel supports cut, paste, fill, formatting, sort (flat lists only), filter, and formulas. You can cut and paste rows to resequence items or change link relationships within a list.
To drag a work item, select one or more rows, open the context menu, choose **Select > Table Row**, then drag when the pointer becomes the move pointer .
> [!TIP]
> Refreshing the work item list can reset some formats (for example, date formats) to the server's settings.
- question: How do I enable the Developer tab?
answer: |
See [Show the Developer Tab on the Ribbon](/visualstudio/vsto/how-to-show-the-developer-tab-on-the-ribbon).
- name: Resolve data conflicts and validation errors
questions:
- question: How can I resolve data validation errors when publishing from Excel?
answer: |
See [Troubleshoot Office integration issues](tfs-office-integration-issues.md#resolve-data-validation-errors).
- question: How can I resolve data conflicts when publishing or refreshing Excel data?
answer: |
See [Troubleshoot Office integration issues](tfs-office-integration-issues.md#resolve-data-conflicts).
additionalContent: |
## Related content
- [Bulk modify work items (web portal)](../../backlogs/bulk-modify-work-items.md)
- [Bulk import or update work items using CSV files](../../queries/import-work-items-from-csv.md)
- [Query FAQs](../../queries/query-faqs.yml)
- [Create your backlog](../../backlogs/create-your-backlog.md)
- [Azure DevOps Office integration issues](tfs-office-integration-issues.md)
- [Basic Excel tasks](https://support.office.com/article/basic-tasks-in-excel-dc775dd1-fa52-430f-9c3c-d998d1735fca)