How do I write in JQL that I want to show all BUT a specific status?

[Brianna Barnes]

I've found multiple tutorials and examples of how to make it show certain statuses, but I'm new to Jira and I want to see ALL my tickets that are NOT in a "done" type of state. Essentially all of my open tickets.

The queue that is pre-setup with the project had one, but it's showing a ticket that's in a resolved state. So I'm looking to try to personalize this a little bit more than the default.

[Nic Brough -Adaptavist-]

At a glance

Status != "unwanted status"

Will do it. Or

Status not in ("s1", "s2", "etc")

But, I suspect what you really mean is "unresolved".  Jira does not use Status to say something is done with.  It uses the resolution field.  If that is empty, an issue is unresolved.  If it has any value, the issue is resolved.

So, take a look at an issue that looks wrong.  Look at status and resolution.