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How to enable wildcard prefix in azure devops search function

Nathaniel Kevin Pardomuan 20 Reputation points
2026-02-02T04:48:35.5733333+00:00

I am using Azure DevOps for my work repository. In azure devops there is a search function. But the issue is I want to search with prefix wildcard in the search function but it said it doesn't support prefix wildcard. But I read in a relese noted in 2024, that it has supported that feature (https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/devops/release-notes/2024/general/sprint-238-update). The reason for this is I want to to be able to search like this for example
"*BAPI" which can return
public bool kgsd_bapi_test_02(.....

gs2d_bapi_void_51 vclass = new....

Because if I only do "BAPI*", it will not return those results.
Do you have any idea how to do prefix wildcard at all in azure devops search function ? Or is there a way to get that search result without having to use prefix wildcard ? Or is there an extension I can use to enable this feature ?

Azure DevOps
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Answer accepted by question author

Pravallika KV 17,205 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator
2026-02-02T09:11:05.4233333+00:00

Hi Nathaniel Kevin Pardomuan,

Thanks for reaching out to Microsoft Q&A.

  1. Understanding Wildcards: Currently, Azure DevOps does not allow the use of prefix wildcards (like *BAPI) directly within its search functionality. The wildcard character * can only be used at the end of a keyword. While your example BAPI* would find terms that start with "BAPI", using *BAPI to find terms ending with "BAPI" isn't supported.
  2. Checking for Updates: You've mentioned a release note indicating expected support for this feature in 2024. Make sure to keep an eye on updates from Azure DevOps for new search features, including any announcements provided in release notes.
  3. Alternative Search Techniques: If you're seeking to find specific patterns or terms in your code or work items, consider using:
    • Boolean operators: Combine keywords logically (AND, OR, NOT).
    • General search tips: Start with broader keywords and narrow them down using filters. You can also use other search functions to refine your results.
  4. Searching for Code: You might want to explore if using a combination of Azure DevOps and extensions could help facilitate a more in-depth code search. There may be available extensions in the Visual Studio Marketplace that offer enhanced search capabilities.
  5. Feedback to Azure: If this search feature is crucial for your workflow, consider providing feedback to Azure DevOps directly or participating in their community forums where such requests can be discussed.

References:

Hope this helps!

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  1. AI answer

    2026-02-02T04:48:45.3466667+00:00

    In Azure DevOps, the search function now supports wildcard prefixes and substrings as of the 2024 update. This means you can use wildcard characters at the beginning of your search term to find relevant results. For example, entering *BAPI in the search box will return results that contain the term "BAPI" at the end of the string, such as kgsd_bapi_test_02 and gs2d_bapi_void_51.

    This feature allows for more flexible searching across code, work items, wikis, and packages. If you're not seeing this functionality, ensure that your Azure DevOps instance has been updated to include this feature, as it is rolling out over time.

    If you still face issues or need to search without using prefix wildcards, you might consider alternative search terms or restructuring your queries to fit the available search capabilities. However, there isn't a known extension specifically for enabling prefix wildcard searches beyond what is now natively supported.

    References:

    AI-generated content may be incorrect. Read our transparency notes for more information.

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