how to automatically set the CATEGORY field by referencing a custom field for the value

[Nick Barnard]

I wish to automatically set the Category field by referencing a custom field value.

Example, I have a custom field "House" and it has a list of defined values, Small, Medium, Big, it's a drop down field used in all my issues.  I wish to set the Category field to the same value that this House field has.  So if the House field is set to Small, I want to automatically set the Category field to Small.  I have played around with Automation/Rules but cannot figure it out, is it possible?  I don't want to manually set the Category for all my issues, I want it to automatically be set based on another Field value.

[Geethanjali Katagani]

Hi @Nick Barnard 

Create an automation rule by selecting the Field Value Changed trigger and choose your House field.

Then, add a condition (if any specific criteria are needed), and use the Edit issue action to update the Category field.
Set the value using Jira smart values as per your requirement.

Automation smart values - issues 

Thanks,
Geethanjali

[Nick Barnard]

Thanks for the help!  I am failing to set the value using the Edit Issue action... I am trying to update the Category field and there doesnt seem to be an option to use a smart value, only choose from existing Categories.  What am I doing wrong here?

[Bill Sheboy]

Hi @Nick Barnard -- Welcome to the Atlassian Community!

It is possible to directly copy the value of one single-selection, custom field (e.g., {{issue.myCustomField.value}} ) to another field with an automation rule, even to another selection field, however...

That would duplicate the information in the same issue, increasing the potential they get out of sync if someone manually changes the second field.

What problem are you trying to solve by doing this?  That is, "why do this?"  Knowing that may help the community to offer other solution approaches.  Thanks!

Kind regards,
Bill

[Nick Barnard]

Thanks Bill, I am trying to automatically set the Category for all my issues.  So when someone updates an issue custom field, it will set a corresponding Category.  Setting the category allows for reports and views that I wish to enhance.  I still cant work out how to do it...

[Bill Sheboy]

For some context, please post the following:

• what type of project is this: company-managed, team-managed, JPD, etc.
• an image of your complete automation rule in a single image for continuity
• images of any relevant actions / conditions / branches
• an image of the audit log details showing the rule execution
• explain what is not working as expected and why you believe that to be the case

Thanks!

[Nick Barnard]

Bill - how can you set the Category field using automation?  Can you give an example of the rules?  I have started with:

When: Value changes for <custom field>

Then: Edit issue fields <category>

However this last rule requires a Value to be chosen, rather than allowing this Value to be copied from another custom field.  So not sure if there is a workaround, seems like you cant set the Value of the Category field by copying/referencing the Value of a custom field.

[Bill Sheboy]

For some fields, a smart value expression may be entered directly into the field (rather than using a dropdown of values.  This is not always obvious from the UX, and the steps are:

• type the smart value expression into the field
• when the expression appears below the field, select it for use
• test your rule

Other fields can only be set using JSON under the "More options" > "Additional fields" section.  The specific JSON expression needed depends upon your field type, so please look here to learn more:

https://support.atlassian.com/cloud-automation/docs/advanced-field-editing-using-json/