Introduction To Fields | Fields In Jira

What are Fields in Jira?

Fields in Jira are used to record and display issue data. Each field can hold specific types of information, such as text, numbers, dates, users, and more. They are essential for tracking and managing issues effectively.

Types of Fields

In Jira, fields can be categorized into several types:

System Fields: These are built-in fields provided by Jira, such as Summary, Description, Priority, and Status.
Custom Fields: These are fields created by users to capture additional information specific to their project needs.

System Fields

System fields are predefined fields that come with Jira. They cover the basic and essential information required for most projects. Examples include:

Summary: A brief description of the issue.
Description: A detailed explanation of the issue.
Priority: The importance level of the issue.
Status: The current state of the issue (e.g., To Do, In Progress, Done).

Custom Fields

Custom fields allow you to add extra fields to your Jira issues to capture information that is not covered by system fields. You can create custom fields to meet the specific needs of your project.

Example: You might create a custom field called Customer Impact to indicate how an issue affects the customer.

Creating Custom Fields

To create a custom field in Jira, follow these steps:

Navigate to the Jira Administration section.
Click on Issues.
Under Fields, select Custom Fields.
Click on the Add Custom Field button.
Choose the type of field you want to create (e.g., Text Field, Select List).
Configure the field by providing a name, description, and any other necessary settings.
Associate the field with the screens where you want it to appear.

Using Fields in Jira Issues

Fields are used when creating, viewing, and editing issues in Jira. Each issue type can have different fields associated with it, depending on the project configuration. To use fields effectively:

Ensure that all necessary fields are filled out when creating an issue.
Regularly update the fields to reflect the current status and details of the issue.
Use custom fields to capture additional information that is relevant to your project.

Example: Adding a Custom Field

Let's walk through an example of adding a custom field to track the "Customer Impact" of an issue:

Step 1: Go to Jira Administration > Issues > Custom Fields.
Step 2: Click Add Custom Field and select Select List (single choice).
Step 3: Name the field "Customer Impact" and provide a description.
Step 4: Add options such as High, Medium, Low.
Step 5: Associate the field with the desired screens.
Step 6: Save and start using the field in your issues.

Introduction to Fields in Jira