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title: Work with items in the Backlog description: Add, edit and move tasks in the Backlog view: create a task inline, rename it, change its status or assignee, drag it into a sprint, and use the row and sprint menus.

Work with items in the Backlog

The Backlog view lists the work that is not in a sprint yet, with each sprint above it. Add tasks, tidy them, and drag them into the sprint where they belong. For starting and finishing sprints, see Plan work in sprints.

Before you start

  • You can open the task board. See Set up a task project.
  • Your project has at least 1 board column, so tasks have a status to pick from.

Steps

Open the Backlog

  1. Click Tasks in the right-hand rail, then click Board.
  2. In the view switcher, click Backlog.
  3. Look at the page. Sprints sit at the top. The Backlog list sits below them.
  4. If the list reads Your backlog is empty., add your first task below.

Add a task to the Backlog

  1. Click Create at the bottom of the Backlog list. A row opens.
  2. Click the type button, and pick the type. The default is a task.
  3. Type the title. The Create button stays off until you type something.
  4. Optional: click the date button, then use Pick date to set a due date.
  5. Click Create. The task appears in the list.
  6. To close the row without adding, click Cancel.

Rename a task

  1. Hover the task title. A pencil appears. Its tooltip is Edit summary.
  2. Click the pencil, and type the new title.
  3. Click the tick, tooltip Save summary, or press Enter.
  4. To undo, click the cross, tooltip Cancel.

Change a task's status

  1. Click the status label at the end of the row. The label shows the current status, for example TO DO.
  2. Pick a new status from the list. The list shows your board's columns.
  3. The task moves to that status. If it fails, the page reads Could not update status.

Change a task's assignee

  1. Click the person icon at the end of the row.
  2. Pick a person from the list, or pick Unassigned.
  3. Your own name shows as You.

Remove a story point estimate

  1. Find the estimate on the task, shown as a small number.
  2. Click the cross beside it. Its tooltip is Remove estimate.
  3. To set an estimate, open the task and use Story point estimate. See Create and assign tasks.

Drag a task into a sprint

  1. Find the drag handle at the start of the row. Its tooltip is Drag into sprint or backlog.
  2. Drag the task onto a sprint. You can also drop it on the sprint's footer.
  3. Release. The task now belongs to that sprint.
  4. To take it out, drag it back to the Backlog list. If the move fails, the page reads Could not move ticket to sprint.
  5. If a sprint is empty, it reads Plan a sprint by dragging work items into it, or by dragging the sprint footer.

Use the sprint menu

  1. Click the ... button on a sprint header. Its tooltip is More actions.
  2. Click Edit sprint to change its name, goal or dates. See Plan work in sprints.
  3. Click Delete sprint to remove it. A window asks Delete sprint? to confirm.
  4. The menu also lists Reorder work items. It does nothing yet.

Use the row menu

  1. Hover a task row and click the ... button. Its tooltip is More actions.
  2. Read the list: Move work item, Copy link, Copy key, Add flag, Assignee, Story point estimate, Split Task and Delete.
  3. These items are shown but do not run an action yet.
  4. To copy a task's link or key now, open the task and use the buttons in its header.

Troubleshooting

Issue Cause Fix
Create stays off. The title is empty. Type a title.
Could not create ticket. The project could not save the task. Check your connection, and try again.
Select or load a ticket project before creating work. No project is open. Pick a project on the board.
Could not load sprints. The sprints did not load. Reload the page.
Could not move ticket to sprint. The drop did not save. Drag the task again.
The row menu items do nothing. They are not active yet. Use the task's details window.