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TFS Code Review - Multiple Users with Same Display Name Issue

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The issue arises when a user has multiple accounts created/deleted in TFS over a period of time and even though the user has only one active account (the other accounts are marked as inactive in TFS), the Code Review module will present this error if the Display Name on the account is the same for any of the user's records in tbl_Identity:

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This SQL script will verify if the user account is the same in the tbl_Identity within the TFS_Configuration database. Compare the values in the DisplayName field for the user:

select * from tbl_Identity with (nolock) where DisplayName like '%<replace with user name%'

 

Resolution:

The user account appearing the dialog (One having the Code Review assigned to them) log into TFS through the web browser and change their Display Name. Meaning, their user account name appears in this dialog:

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On upper right in the blue bar is the user's profile, select the user's name

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Select My Profile Image4

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Select Edit on the Display Name

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Change the Display Name to a unique value and select Save.

Additional Steps:

The user attempting to create the code review may still see the error message when attempting to assign the code review to the user that just changed their Display Name. The user's old display name is still cached on the local workstation's TFS cache and this cache must be cleared out and rebuilt. The cache is cleared for the user creating the code review.

 

For instance, the user would delete the Cache folder from C:\<users>\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Team Foundation\x.x for all folders under Team Foundation. For instance, my local Visual Studio cache is the following:

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After the cache is cleared, try to create a new code review and assign to user account in which the Display Name was changed..

Comments

  • Anonymous
    February 23, 2017
    Is there a way to rename the Display Name of the old deleted user?Can i change the Display Name Value of the old user the SQL Table "tbl_Identity"?
  • Anonymous
    February 24, 2017
    Hey Tom, so the user's account has been disabled in AD and can no longer be seen in TFS through the UI to change the display name? Can you change the name in AD and have it replicated to TFS?
    • Anonymous
      February 27, 2017
      Hey Eric,thank you for reply. The "old" user’s account is already deleted in AD. So it is not possible to logon with the old account in TFS and Change the Display Name.Is it supported to Change the Display Name directly in the SQL or isn´t the right way?
      • Anonymous
        February 27, 2017
        The preferred method is to make the adjustment in AD and let the AD sync job complete to update the value in TFS. In your situation, with the AD account deleted, the only method is to make a direct SQL update in the tbl_identity within the TFS_Configuration database. Please make sure to have a backup of the table, or database in case there is a need to revert.