Before you start syncing Azure DevOps (ADO) work items, here are a few common problems you might encounter and troubleshooting tips to resolve them.
In this article:
- Some of my Azure DevOps fields aren't syncing 2-ways
- Why can't I sync multiple work item types to ADO?
- I'm using the default rules, so why aren't my work items syncing?
Some of my Azure DevOps fields aren't syncing 2-ways
Not all fields available in Unito can support two-way sync. For example, attachments can only be synced one-way. In Azure DevOps, the work item type field can also only be synced one-way.
Or perhaps you'd like to sync Acceptance Criteria, so you've created a custom field in your other tool to match. Unfortunately, Acceptance Criteria is still only supported as a one-way field because Multi-line text in custom fields is only available with certain plans on request in plain text format. This is to prevent any formatting from being erased from the source item when syncing two ways. Contact our team for details.
When in doubt, create a custom field!
Azure DevOps has its own unique features, data structures, and capabilities, just like every other tool supported by Unito. These distinct characteristics may occasionally lead to issues or limitations. Luckily, these issues can often be solved by adding custom fields to your projects!
Syncing unique fields from ADO to Jira
For example, the "Acceptance Criteria" field in ADO doesn't have a native equivalent in Jira. But you can create one as a custom field specifically for this purpose.
The same is true of Effort, Story Points, Swimlane, and Unique Identifier among others.
Syncing unique fields from Jira to ADO
Conversely, Affected Versions and Fix Versions have no equivalent field in Azure DevOps, but they can easily be created as custom fields, which Unito can then sync to.
Why can't I sync multiple work item types to ADO?
While you can sync different Stories, Tasks, or Bugs from Azure DevOps as work items to another tool, the reverse isn't possible.
When syncing from another tool to ADO, you can only use one type of work item per flow—either Stories, Issues, or Epics.
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Solution: All you have to do is duplicate your flow and change the work item type in your new flow.
I'm using the default rules, so why aren't my work items syncing?
Certain default rules and status mappings can prevent data from syncing over without modifications.
For instance, if your rules are set to sync only specific task types (e.g., only issues), but your status mappings allow for different task types (e.g., epics or tasks), you might encounter sync errors.
Syncing one type of work item in rules, then another in field mappings can cause errors:
In this example below, the flow rules state that only issues will sync with Unito, while the field mappings show tasks and epics in sync. As a result, this flow will encounter numerous errors since the rules determine what data can sync and what data cannot.
Solution: Make sure to include the same work item types in your rules as your field mappings. In the above example, the user could simply select all work item types that apply (or at least appear in their field mappings) or remove work item types from their field mappings if they don't also appear in their rules.
Need more assistance?
While Unito strives to provide seamless syncing between ADO and other tools, some limitations may be encountered due to system-specific constraints. Submit a Unito feature request to let us know what you'd like to see in the next update to our Azure DevOps integration!