Manage work item attachments

Azure DevOps Services | Azure DevOps Server 2022 - Azure DevOps Server 2019

Visual Studio 2019 | Visual Studio 2022

Attachments to work items are a great way to share information with your team. You can attach files, images, and links to work items. You can attach up to 100 files to a work item. Each attachment is limited to 60 MB. This article shows you how to manage attachments to work items in Azure DevOps.

You can manage attachments through the web portal by selecting the attachment tab on your work item.

Screenshot showing highlighted Attachments button in work item.

Use the Collapse/Expand button to show or hide the attachments.

Screenshot showing highlighted expand or collapse attachments button in work item.

To toggle between the list and grid view of attachments, select the List or Grid icon.

Screenshot showing list and grid view buttons.

Once you add an attachment, you can hover over the work item to access the more actions menu. The more actions menu allows you to:

  • preview the attachment
  • edit the comment
  • copy the attachment link
  • download the attachment
  • delete attachments
  • permanently delete attachments if you have the correct permissions.

Screenshot of highlighted Attachments button in work item.

You can choose a list or grid view of attachments. The grid view provides a thumbnail preview of the attachment.

Screenshot showing list and grid view buttons.

Once you add an attachment, you can hover over the work item to access the more actions menu. The more actions menu allows you to:

  • preview the attachment
  • edit the comment
  • download the attachment
  • delete attachments

Add attachments

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

    Screenshot showing highlighted Attachments button.

  2. Select the file, select Open, and then Save.

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

Add comments to attachments

To add a comment to an attachment:

  1. Hover over the attachment and select more actions > Edit comment.

    Screenshot showing add comment to attachment flow.

  2. Edit your comment and select Save.

  1. Select or hover over the attachment and select more actions > Edit comment.

    Screenshot showing add comment to attachment flow.

  2. Edit your comment and select Save.

Preview attachments

To copy the link to an attachment:

Hover over the attachment and select more actions > Copy attachment link.

Download attachments

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

Hover over the attachment and select more actions > Edit comment.

Select or hover over the attachment and select more actions > Download attachment.

Delete attachments

To delete an attachment:

  1. Hover over the attachment and select more actions > Delete attachment.

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

    Screenshot showing Delete button for confirming delete action.

  1. Select or hover over the attachment and select more actions > Delete attachment.

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

    Screenshot showing Delete button for confirming delete action.

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

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.

Permanently delete attachments

To permanently delete attachments, you need Permanently delete work items permissions. 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 > Permanently delete attachment.

    Screenshot showing permanently delete attachment flow.

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

    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 is only available in New Boards Hub.