Windows Visual Studio Tfs

How to `Edit Work Items` in the Visual Studio 2008 XML Editor

Customizing work items in Team Foundation Server (TFS) can sometimes feel frustrating, especially when the tools you want to use don’t behave as expected. For users of Visual Studio 2008, encountering the graphical designer instead of the XML editor when you attempt to edit work items is a common issue. Instead of being able to manipulate the XML directly, you’re faced with a view that limits your ability to make significant changes. In this blog post, we break down how you can overcome this and edit TFS work items in Visual Studio 2008’s XML editor effectively.

Understanding the Problem

When you open a TFS work item XML file in Visual Studio 2008, the integrated editor tends to default to the graphical designer. While this tool can be handy for visual modifications, it does not allow for straightforward access to the raw XML code, making it cumbersome for those who want to customize their work items using XML.

Reasons for This Issue:

Default Editor Setting: The graphical designer is typically set as the default editor for TFS work item XML files, which overrides your intent to edit the XML directly.
Limited Options: The “View XML” option provided in the designer is more of a viewing tool than a functional editor, limiting your ability to make direct edits.

Solution: Open XML Files with the XML Editor

To edit work item XML files directly in Visual Studio 2008, you can utilize the “Open With…” feature that allows you to change the default editor. This feature not only provides flexibility in how you interact with files but also saves time when you frequently need to tweak XML settings.

Step-by-Step Guide to Edit XML Files

Locate the Work Item XML File: In Visual Studio, navigate to the work item XML file you wish to edit.
Right-Click on the File: Once you find the XML file in your solution or project view, right-click on it.
Choose “Open With…”: From the context menu that appears, select the “Open With…” option.
Select the XML Editor: In the Open With dialog, you should see a list of possible editors. Look for “XML Editor” in the list. If it’s not visible, you might need to click on “Add” to include it.
Set as Default (Optional): If you want all future XML files to open in the XML editor by default, select the XML Editor in the list and click the “Set as Default” button.
Click “OK”: After selecting your preferred editor, click “OK” to open the file in the XML editor.
Make Your Edits: You are now able to edit the XML directly. Make any necessary changes to customize your work item according to your requirements.
Save Your Changes: After editing, don’t forget to save your changes.

Conclusion

Editing TFS work items directly in the XML editor of Visual Studio 2008 can significantly enhance your workflow. By changing the default editor settings, you can bypass the graphical designer and edit the XML configuration directly. This small adjustment can streamline your development process and provide you with greater control over TFS work items.

Remember, having the ability to edit the raw XML is key for advanced customization, so don’t hesitate to revisit these steps anytime you need to make edits!