manage-attachments.md

title	Manage work item attachments
titleSuffix	Azure Boards
description	Learn how to manage work item attachments in Azure DevOps.
ms.custom	devx-track-azurecli
ms.service	azure-devops-boards
ms.author	chcomley
author	chcomley
ai-usage	ai-assisted
monikerRange	<= azure-devops
ms.topic	how-to
ms.date	08/07/2025

Manage work item attachments

[!INCLUDE version-lt-eq-azure-devops] [!INCLUDE version-vs-gt-eq-2019]

Attachments enhance work items by enabling you to share essential information with your team. You can attach files, images, and links directly to work items, facilitating better collaboration and documentation. This article provides guidance on managing attachments within Azure DevOps.

::: moniker range="azure-devops"

Each work item can include up to 100 attachments, with each file limited to 60 MB. This article provides guidance on managing attachments within Azure DevOps.

::: moniker-end

::: moniker range="< azure-devops" By default, each work item can include up to 100 attachments, with each file limited to 4 MB. The maximum size of attachments can be configured via the Azure DevOps Server Administration Console.

::: moniker-end

Prerequisites

Category	Requirements
Permissions	- To view, follow, and edit work items: View work items in this node and Edit work items in this node permissions set to Allow. By default, the Contributors group has these permissions. For more information, see Set work tracking permissions. - To add tags to work items: Project-level Create new tag definition permission set to Allow. By default, the Contributors group has this permission.
Access levels	- Project member. - To add new tags to work items or to view or follow pull requests: At least Basic access. - To view or follow work items: At least Stakeholder access. For more information, see About access levels. - All project members, including members in the Readers group, can send emails containing work items.
Permanent deletion permissions	To permanently delete attachments: Permanently delete work items permission set to Allow.

Manage attachments through the web portal

Do the following steps to manage attachments through the web portal:

::: moniker range=" azure-devops"

1. Go to the desired work item and select the Attachments tab.

   :::image type="content" source="media/manage-work-items/attachments-tab-services.png" alt-text="Screenshot showing highlighted Attachments button in work item." :::

2. Use the Collapse/Expand button to toggle the visibility of attachments.

   :::image type="content" source="media/manage-work-items/expand-collapse-attachments.png" alt-text="Screenshot showing highlighted expand or collapse attachments button in work item." :::

3. Switch between List and Grid views by selecting the corresponding icon.

   :::image type="content" source="media/manage-work-items/attachments-list-grid-view-buttons-services.png" alt-text="Screenshot showing list and grid view buttons." :::

4. After you add an attachment, hover over the work item to access the more actions menu. This menu allows you to do the following tasks:

   • Preview the attachment
   • Add and Edit a comment
   • Copy an attachment link
   • Download an attachment
   • Delete attachments
   • Permanently Delete an attachment

Note

The preview function only supports certain file types. For images and text files (.txt), you can preview them directly in the browser. For other file types (such as Microsoft Office documents, PDFs, or code files), you need to download the attachment to view its contents.

Tips

• Bulk management: To manage multiple attachments simultaneously, consider using bulk actions available in the Attachments tab.
• Permissions: Ensure you have the appropriate permissions to add, edit, or delete attachments. Project administrators typically have full access, while other roles might have limited permissions.
• File size and type: Be mindful of the attachment size limits (up to 60 MB per file). While you can attach any file type, preview functionality is limited to images and text files.

::: moniker-end

::: moniker range="< azure-devops"

1. Go to the desired work item and select the Attachments tab.

   :::image type="content" source="media/manage-work-items/attachments-tab-server.png" alt-text="Screenshot of highlighted Attachments button in work item." :::

2. Choose a list or grid view of attachments. The grid view provides a thumbnail preview of the attachment.

   :::image type="content" source="media/manage-work-items/attachments-list-grid-view-buttons-server.png" alt-text="Screenshot showing list and grid view buttons." :::

3. After you add an attachment, hover over the work item to access the more actions menu. This menu allows you to do the following tasks:

   • Preview an attachment
   • Add and Edit a comment
   • Download an attachment
   • Delete an attachment

::: moniker-end

Add attachment

To add an attachment to a work item, do the following steps:

1. From your work item, select Attachments > Add attachment.

   :::image type="content" source="../backlogs/media/add-attachment.png" alt-text="Screenshot showing highlighted Attachments button.":::

2. Select the file > Open > Save.

The attachment gets added to the work item. To add more attachments, select + Add attachment.

Add and edit comment

To add or edit a comment for an attachment, do the following steps:

::: moniker range="azure-devops"

1. Hover over the attachment and select more actions :::image type="icon" source="../media/icons/more-actions.png" border="false"::: > Edit comment.

   :::image type="content" source="media/manage-work-items/add-comment-attachment.png" alt-text="Screenshot showing add comment to attachment flow.":::

2. Add or edit your comment and select Save.

::: moniker-end

::: moniker range="< azure-devops"

1. Select or hover over the attachment and select more actions :::image type="icon" source="../media/icons/more-actions-horizontal.png" border="false"::: > Edit comment.

   :::image type="content" source="media/manage-work-items/add-comment-attachment.png" alt-text="Screenshot showing add comment to attachment flow.":::

2. Edit your comment and select Save.

::: moniker-end

::: moniker range="azure-devops"

Copy attachment link

To copy the link to an attachment:

Hover over the attachment and select more actions :::image type="icon" source="../media/icons/more-actions.png" border="false"::: > Copy attachment link.

::: moniker-end

Download attachment

To download an attachment to your browser's download directory:

::: moniker range="azure-devops"

Hover over the attachment and select more actions :::image type="icon" source="../media/icons/more-actions.png" border="false"::: > Edit comment.

::: moniker-end

::: moniker range="< azure-devops"

Select or hover over the attachment and select more actions :::image type="icon" source="../media/icons/more-actions-horizontal.png" border="false"::: > Download attachment.

::: moniker-end

Delete attachment

To delete an attachment, do the following steps:

::: moniker range="azure-devops"

1. Hover over the attachment and select more actions :::image type="icon" source="../media/icons/more-actions.png" border="false"::: > Delete attachment.

2. Select Delete to confirm you want to delete the attachment.

   :::image type="content" source="../backlogs/media/confirm-delete-attachment.png" alt-text="Screenshot showing Delete button for confirming delete action.":::

::: moniker-end

::: moniker range="< azure-devops"

1. Select or hover over the attachment and select more actions :::image type="icon" source="../media/icons/more-actions-horizontal.png" border="false"::: > Delete attachment.

2. Select Delete to confirm you want to delete the attachment.

   :::image type="content" source="../backlogs/media/confirm-delete-attachment.png" alt-text="Screenshot showing Delete button for confirming delete action.":::

The deleted attachment can't be restored and is permanently removed after 28 days. In the meantime, if you have permissions, you can permanently delete it.

::: moniker-end

The deleted attachment can't be restored and is permanently removed after 28 days. In the meantime, if you have permissions, you can permanently delete it.

::: moniker range="azure-devops"

Permanently delete attachment

This action is typically reserved for situations requiring immediate removal, such as when files are infected. Otherwise, deleted attachments are automatically removed within 28 days.

1. From your work item, select the Attachments tab.

2. Select more actions :::image type="icon" source="../media/icons/more-actions.png" border="false"::: > Permanently delete attachment.

   :::image type="content" source="../backlogs/media/permanently-delete-attachment.png" alt-text="Screenshot showing permanently delete attachment flow.":::

3. Select Delete to confirm you want to permanently delete the attachment.

   :::image type="content" source="../backlogs/media/confirm-permanently-delete-attachment.png" alt-text="Screenshot showing Delete button for confirming permanent delete action.":::

The attachment is permanently deleted and isn't accessible from any other links.

Note

This feature requires the New Boards Hub, which is enabled by default. For more information, see Manage or enable features.

::: moniker-end

Related content

• Learn about work items and work item types
• Manage work items
• View and add work items