Azure DevOps Open in Excel alternatives (2026)

The Azure DevOps Open in Excel extension from Microsoft DevLabs is the classic way to edit many work items in a spreadsheet. It is free, but it only works on Windows and is often hard to get running. Here's how it works and what you can use instead.

No add-in, works on Mac: Bulk Editor lets you edit work items in a spreadsheet-like grid in the browser. Free plan, 14-day Pro trial, no account needed.
Install from the Marketplace See how it works Watch the 1-minute video

Disclosure: we make Bulk Editor, one of the options below. We've tried to keep this comparison fair; corrections are welcome at support@jr-devtools.com. Last checked: October 2026.

What “Open in Excel” actually is

The Marketplace extension Azure DevOps Open in Excel (about 92,000 installs, rated 2.2 out of 5) only adds a menu item that opens a tfs:// link. The real work is done by the desktop add-in Azure DevOps Office Integration, a Windows-only COM add-in for Excel that has to be installed on every computer. That explains the most common complaints in the extension's Q&A and reviews:

install and client errors such as TF80012, TF80070 and VS403191;
Excel crashing at sign-in, or the add-in disappearing from Excel;
no support for Mac or Excel on the web;
the menu option disappearing after Azure DevOps UI changes (see issues #24 and #16 on GitHub).

When it works, it works well, and there is no need to replace it. If you're stuck, see Azure DevOps Excel add-in not working: fixes.

The alternatives

1. Built-in multi-select bulk edit (free)

Select several work items in a backlog or query and use the context menu to change a few fields at once. See how to edit multiple work items at once.

Good: built in, nothing to install. Less good: every selected item gets the same value, only a few fields are available, and there is no grid.

2. Open in Excel with Office Integration (free)

The option above: full Excel, with pick lists and validation, and a warning before you overwrite someone else's change.

Good: free, and you get everything Excel can do. Less good: Windows only, a desktop install on every computer, and the install problems listed above.

3. CSV export and import (built in)

Export a query with Export to CSV, edit the file in any spreadsheet app, and bring it back with Boards → Work items → Import work items. Rows with an ID update existing items, rows without one create new items.

Good: works on any OS, different values per row. Less good: rich-text fields such as Description are exported as raw HTML, errors only show up at import time, and nothing warns you if someone changed a work item after your export. More in how to bulk edit work items without Excel.

4. Bulk Editor (free plan, Pro from $12 per organization per month)

Bulk Editor is our extension. It opens a query, a backlog selection or any list of work items in a spreadsheet-like grid inside Azure DevOps, in the browser:

nothing to install on your computer; works on Windows, Mac and Linux;
paste a block copied from Excel with Ctrl+V; each row can have its own value;
pick lists, required fields and states come from your own process, and invalid values are caught before you publish;
nothing is saved until you publish; if a teammate changed a work item in the meantime, that row is refused and your edit is kept;
Pro: import from Excel, create work items and children, change parents.

Good: no add-in, works on Mac. Less good: it is not Excel, so there are no formulas or macros; Azure DevOps Services and Azure DevOps Server 2022 or later (details); Pro is paid. The free plan covers publishing changes to 25 different work items per organization per month, and every organization gets a 14-day Pro trial. Pro is priced per organization, not per user.

Watch the 1-minute walkthrough on YouTube.

Side by side

	Built-in bulk edit	Open in Excel	CSV import	Bulk Editor
Works on Mac and in the browser	✔	– (Windows only)	✔	✔
Nothing to install on your computer	✔	– (Office add-in)	✔	✔
Different value per row	–	✔	✔	✔
Paste from Excel	–	✔ (it is Excel)	In a separate file	✔
Validation before saving	–	✔	Only when importing	✔
Protects a teammate's change	–	✔	–	✔
Price	Free	Free	Free	Free plan; Pro $12/month per organization

Based on the reviews and Q&A of “Azure DevOps Open in Excel” on the Visual Studio Marketplace and Microsoft's documentation (October 2026).

Which one should you pick?

Same value on a handful of items: the built-in bulk edit.
You're on Windows, the add-in works for you and you need formulas: stay with Open in Excel.
A one-off import of a plan from a spreadsheet: CSV import.
You're on a Mac, can't install the add-in, or want to edit and validate in the browser: Bulk Editor.

You can try them side by side; installing Bulk Editor doesn't change Open in Excel.

Install Bulk Editor

Related guides

Not affiliated with Microsoft. “Azure DevOps”, “Excel” and “Office” are trademarks of Microsoft.