Using Filters for Reports in Jira
Introduction
Filters in Jira are a powerful way to organize and retrieve issues based on specific criteria. By using filters, you can create customized views and reports that help you better understand and manage your projects. This tutorial will guide you through the process of creating and using filters for generating reports in Jira.
Creating a Basic Filter
To create a filter in Jira, follow these steps:
- Go to the Jira dashboard and click on the "Filters" dropdown menu.
- Select "Advanced issue search".
- Use the search bar to enter your criteria. You can use JQL (Jira Query Language) for more advanced searches.
- Click "Search" to view the results.
- Once you have the desired results, click "Save as" and give your filter a name.
Example
Search for all issues assigned to a specific user:
Using Filters in Reports
Once you have created filters, you can use them to generate reports. Here’s how to do it:
- Navigate to the "Reports" section of your project.
- Select the type of report you want to generate (e.g., "Created vs Resolved Issues").
- Use the filter dropdown to select the filter you created earlier.
- Configure any additional settings for the report.
- Click "Generate" to create the report based on your filter.
Example
Generate a "Created vs Resolved Issues" report for issues assigned to a specific user:
The report will show the number of issues created versus the number of issues resolved over a specified time period.
Advanced Filtering with JQL
Jira Query Language (JQL) allows you to perform more advanced searches and create complex filters. Here are some common JQL queries:
- Find issues by project: project = "ProjectName"
- Find issues by status: status = "In Progress"
- Find issues by priority: priority = "High"
- Combine multiple criteria: project = "ProjectName" AND status = "Open" AND priority = "High"
Example
Find all high-priority issues in a specific project that are currently open:
This query will return all issues in the specified project that are currently open and have a high priority.
Saving and Sharing Filters
After creating a filter, you may want to save it for future use or share it with your team. Here’s how:
- Saving a filter: After performing a search, click "Save as" and provide a name for your filter.
- Sharing a filter: Go to "Manage filters", find your filter, and click the "Share" button. You can then choose who to share the filter with (e.g., specific users, groups, or roles).
Example
Save a filter and share it with a specific group:
Save the filter as "My Open Issues" and share it with the "Developers" group.
Using Filters in Dashboards
Filters can also be used in Jira dashboards to create customized widgets that display specific sets of issues. Here’s how to add a filter to a dashboard:
- Go to your Jira dashboard.
- Click "Add gadget".
- Choose a gadget that supports filters (e.g., "Filter Results").
- Configure the gadget to use the filter you created.
- Save the gadget to see the filtered results on your dashboard.
Example
Add a "Filter Results" gadget to display issues assigned to a specific user:
The dashboard gadget will display all issues assigned to the specified user, providing a quick overview.
Conclusion
Filters in Jira are a versatile tool that can greatly enhance your ability to manage and report on issues. By creating and using filters, you can generate customized reports, streamline your workflow, and gain valuable insights into your projects. Experiment with different filter criteria and JQL queries to make the most out of Jira’s powerful filtering capabilities.
