Jira Export to Google Sheets: How to Perform It

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Bob is a PMO Manager preparing a quarterly project review.

He doesn't want to manually check hundreds of work items in Jira. He wants the data in Google Sheets, where he can create pivot tables, build charts, share reports with leadership, and collaborate with colleagues.

The challenge is that not all Jira data is easy to bring into Google Sheets.

If Bob only needs the current status of work items, Jira’s built-in Google Sheets integration might work. But if he wants to see how work items changed over time, such as who updated priorities, when statuses changed, or how scope evolved during the project, he will need access to historical data, too.

Let’s look at the available options.

Jira Export to Google Sheets: Possible Options

If you need Jira work item data in Google Sheets, there are several ways to do it based on the information you want to analyze.

For those teams that only need work item data and current field values, Jira’s built-in Google Sheets integration may be enough. However, if you want to analyze historical changes, audit trails, or complete work item history, you will need a solution made specifically for historical reporting.

Option 1: Native Google Sheets Jira Integration 

Atlassian provides the Jira Cloud for Sheets extension that can be installed via the Google Marketplace. Using it, users can connect Jira directly to Google Sheets. They can import their work item data by using saved filters or JQL queries.

Here is how to export Jira work items to Google Sheets using the native integration:

• Open Google Sheets.  
• Go to Extensions, then Add-ons, and select Get add-ons.  
• Search for Jira Cloud for Sheets and install it. 

• Return to Extensions and open Jira Cloud for Sheets.  
• Log in with your Atlassian account and connect your Jira site.  
• Create a custom JQL query and save the filter. For example:

project = DEVS AND created >= "2026-04-01"AND created <= "2026-06-30"

• Then, come back to Google Sheets and in the Jira Cloud for Sheets menu choose Get issues from Jira.  

• In the Import type field, choose Filter and select your previously saved filter in Jira. Then click the GET ISSUES NOW button. You will see that your report appears in Google Sheets.

• If you want, set up an automatic refresh so the spreadsheet stays updated (in the SHEDULE menu).  

Jira Cloud for Sheets offers a convenient approach to export Jira work items to Google Sheets, but with some limitations ⚠️:

• Limited access to historical data. The integration mainly exports the current state of work items and doesn’t show detailed field-level change history or past snapshots for audits.  
• Manual filter management. Depending on the reporting requirements, users need to develop and maintain saved filters/JQL queries in Jira, which can be a time-consuming process.  
• Difficulty handling large sets of data. Many work items can slow imports and be limited by Jira API and Google Sheets limitations.  
• Comment data and history can't be exported. It is not easy to see changes to work item comments or to create an extensive audit trail, with the built-in integration.  

So, this Google Sheets Jira integration option is not suitable for teams that need detailed Jira history tracking, ready-to-audit reports, and access to past work item data.

Option 2: Export Jira History to Google Sheets with Issue History for Jira API

When you’re only working with the current state of your work items, the native Jira Cloud for Sheets integration is a good choice. But many teams require historical Jira data to audit, comply, review, and analyze their projects.

This is where Issue History for Jira (Work Item History) app offers a key benefit.

Issue History for Jira (Work Item History) app differs from regular Jira exports in that it allows working with detailed history. This enables teams to export not only the existing work item data but also the entire history of each change. This historical data can be passed directly to Google Sheets via the app's API, enabling valuable reporting and audit dashboards.

This can be used to generate Google Sheets reports that include all status changes, assignee changes, comment history, user activity records, and a full audit trail.

For instance, a project manager can examine how long work items remained in each workflow status. Also, a compliance officer can produce reports detailing who made important changes and when.

Another advantage is automation. Once connected, Google Sheets can be updated on a schedule. This way, reports always have the latest historical Jira data without needing manual exports.

To export Jira work item history reports to Google Sheets via Issue History for Jira API, it is necessary to do the following actions:

• Generate the required report in the app using filters, data ranges, and the required fields, then save it.

• Generate a data source link in the app using the API button. 
• Authorize and get tokens. 
• Import data into Google Sheets using the custom script provided by the app.

• Configure automated data sync if needed. 

The detailed instructions can be found in the app documentation 📝. 

As a result, teams get a much better reporting solution than the Jira Cloud for Sheets integration offers. Instead of just seeing the current state of Jira work items, they can look at trends, examine past changes, and keep audit-ready records directly in Google Sheets.

🔗 Try Issue History for Jira (Work Item History) and export complete Jira history to Google Sheets.

Why Use Issue History for Jira API Instead of the Native Integration?

Capability	Jira Cloud for Sheets	Issue History for Jira API
Current work item data	✓	✓
Historical field changes	✗	✓
Comment history	✗	✓
Audit-ready reports	✗	✓
Custom history exports	Limited	✓
Automated historical reporting	Limited	✓

Why is it important to choose the right option?

For creating simple spreadsheets that display the current state of Jira work items, the native integration with the Jira Cloud for Sheets is a simple and easy option. 

When it comes to Jira work item history, audit trails, comment history, or reports ready for compliance, the native integration has its limits. Issue History for Jira (Work Item History) app is a better alternative in such cases. It gives you complete visibility into Jira work item history and allows for advanced reporting directly in Google Sheets. 

So, the native integration could be sufficient for a simple export of work items. For organizations needing more detailed information about Jira changes and reliable historical reporting, Issue History for Jira (Work Item History) provides this information, which is not available through standard exports.