How To Access Azure Devops From Azure Portal (2024)

Accessing Azure DevOps from the Azure Portal is crucial for seamless integration and efficient management of projects. By understanding the structure of the web portal and utilizing its features, users can streamline their workflow and enhance project collaboration.

The Azure DevOps web portal is organized around a set of services and administrative pages, providing a seamless experience for project management. Whether you are using Azure DevOps Services or Azure DevOps Server, the web portal offers options to switch between services, add artifacts or teams, open other projects or repositories, and work with favorites. It allows for easy navigation and access to essential functionalities to effectively manage your projects.

To help you get started, let’s dive into an overview of the services and features available in Azure DevOps, how to access different functional areas, and the necessary steps to connect to the web portal. We will also explore troubleshooting techniques to ensure a smooth experience while working with Azure DevOps.

Stay tuned for the upcoming sections where we will delve into each topic in more detail, providing you with a comprehensive guide to accessing and maximizing the potential of Azure DevOps.

Overview of Services and Features in Azure DevOps

Azure DevOps provides a comprehensive range of services and features that can be accessed through its web portal. Whether you are using Azure DevOps Services or Azure DevOps Server, you will have access to various services and administrative pages designed to support your project management activities.

For Azure DevOps Services, the available services include:

• Overview
• Boards
• Repos
• Pipelines
• Test Plans
• Artifacts

Similarly, Azure DevOps Server offers the following services:

• Boards
• Repos
• Pipelines
• Test Plans
• Artifacts

Each service within Azure DevOps provides multiple pages that cater to specific features and functional tasks. This allows you to navigate seamlessly between different services, accessing the functionalities you require for your projects. Whether you need to manage tasks on a board, collaborate on code repositories, automate build pipelines, conduct test plans, or manage artifacts, Azure DevOps offers a cohesive platform to support your development process.

By leveraging these services and features, you can streamline your project management activities, ensuring enhanced collaboration, efficiency, and productivity.

Accessing Services and Functional Areas

In the Azure DevOps web portal, users have seamless access to various services and functional areas. With just a few clicks, you can switch between services, add artifacts or teams, open different projects or repos, and navigate through the portal efficiently.

1. Switching Services: To access different services, simply use the “Open a service, page, or settings” option. This allows you to switch between services such as Boards, Repos, Pipelines, Test Plans, and Artifacts, each catering to specific functional tasks and requirements.
2. Adding Artifacts or Teams: If you need to add artifacts or teams to your project, the “Add an artifact or team” option is readily available. This enables you to customize your project and collaborate effectively with your team members, assigning tasks, and sharing relevant artifacts.
3. Opening Projects or Repos: To open another project or repo or switch to a different team, simply select the “Open another project or repo” option. This functionality allows you to work seamlessly across multiple projects or repos, facilitating smooth project management and collaboration.

The Azure DevOps web portal also offers additional features to enhance your workflow:

• Working Across Projects: The web portal enables users to efficiently work across multiple projects without any hassle. This ensures a streamlined approach to managing various projects simultaneously.
• Navigating with Breadcrumbs and Selectors: The portal provides breadcrumbs and selectors to help you navigate through artifacts effortlessly. These navigation tools ensure that you can quickly find and access specific resources within your projects.
• Working with Favorites: You can easily mark important artifacts, teams, or projects as favorites. This allows for quick access to frequently used items, improving productivity and saving valuable time.
• Search Functionality: The search box in the web portal enables you to search for code, work items, or wiki content efficiently. This powerful search capability ensures that you can locate and retrieve the necessary information with ease.

With these user-friendly features and functionalities, the Azure DevOps web portal offers a seamless experience, enabling efficient collaboration, project management, and easy access to the services and functional areas you need.

Connecting to Azure DevOps Web Portal

To connect to the Azure DevOps web portal, you need to use a supported web browser. Microsoft Edge, Chrome, Safari, or Firefox are all compatible options. By utilizing these browsers, you can seamlessly access and navigate the web portal.

Upon accessing the Azure DevOps web portal, only users who have been added to a project can connect. Typically, this task is performed by the organization owner or a member of the Project Administrators group. Their role is to ensure that only authorized individuals gain access to the web portal.

The web portal can be accessed through a specific URL that corresponds to your organization. This URL provides a secure pathway for connecting to the Azure DevOps web portal and accessing its powerful features.

Azure DevOps offers a range of licensing options to cater to different needs. With free access for up to five user accounts, Visual Studio subscribers can take advantage of the web portal’s functionalities. Additionally, stakeholders are also provided limited access for free. For organizations requiring additional user accounts, Azure DevOps offers licensing options to accommodate their requirements.

Connecting to the Azure DevOps web portal offers a streamlined experience for project management and collaboration. With a supported web browser and the necessary user accounts and licensing, users can access the portal’s robust features and harness its potential for efficient team workflows.

Refreshing and Troubleshooting in the Web Portal

If you encounter any issues with data not appearing as expected in the web portal, you can try refreshing your web browser. This simple action can often resolve minor display or syncing problems. By refreshing the client application, you update the local cache with any changes made in another client or on the server.

To refresh the page or object you are currently viewing, look for the Refresh icon in the web portal. Simply click on the Refresh icon to update the data and ensure you have the most up-to-date information. Please note that the availability of the Refresh icon may vary depending on the specific page or object you are viewing.

Refreshing your client application is especially recommended in various circ*mstances such as:

• Process changes
• Changes in work item type definitions
• Updates in area or iteration paths
• Changes in security groups or permissions
• Addition or deletion of a build definition or team/project
• Any other changes that may impact the display or functionality of the web portal

By refreshing your client application in these situations, you can troubleshoot and resolve potential errors that may arise in the web portal. It ensures that you have the most recent data and eliminates any discrepancies that can occur due to caching or synchronization issues.

Differences between Web Portal and Visual Studio

When it comes to accessing source code, work items, and builds, both the Azure DevOps web portal and Visual Studio offer convenient options. However, there are some differences in the supported tasks and tools provided by each platform.

Web Portal Features

The Azure DevOps web portal offers a wide range of features for managing projects and collaborating with teams. Some of the key features include:

• Product backlog
• Portfolio backlogs
• Sprint backlogs
• Taskboards
• Capacity planning
• Kanban boards
• Dashboards
• Widgets
• Charts
• Request feedback
• Web-based test management

Visual Studio Tools

On the other hand, Visual Studio provides tools specifically designed for handling source code, work items, and builds. These tools include:

• Changes
• Branches
• Pull requests
• Sync
• Work items
• Builds for Git repositories
• My Work
• Pending Changes
• Source Control Explorer
• Builds for TFVC repositories

It’s important to note that Visual Studio 2019 version 16.8 and later versions introduce a new Git menu, which offers a streamlined workflow for managing Git repositories with fewer context switches.

Comparison Table

Conclusion

Accessing Azure DevOps from the Azure Portal is crucial for streamlining workflow and effectively managing projects. By familiarizing yourself with the web portal’s structure, accessing different services and functional areas, and leveraging the available features, you can optimize your project management process.

It is important to connect to the Azure DevOps web portal using a supported web browser and ensure that you have the necessary user accounts and licensing. This will ensure a seamless and productive experience. Additionally, refreshing the web portal and troubleshooting any errors can help maintain optimal performance and resolve any issues that may arise.

Azure DevOps provides a comprehensive solution for project collaboration and development. With the ability to access source code, work items, and builds, you have all the necessary tools at your fingertips to successfully manage your projects. Whether you are working on code repositories, managing work items, or overseeing builds and deployments, Azure DevOps offers a powerful platform for project management and collaboration.