Can I adjust the descriptions for specific questions in a Jira form based on a previous answer?

[Sargun]

Can I adjust the descriptions for specific questions in a Jira form based on a previous answer? Ie. I'd like to use conditional logic to showcase certain description text in a Jira form. 

[Olha Yevdokymova_SaaSJet]

Hi @Sargun 

For a Jira Software project, this isn’t really possible with the native Jira form functionality today. Native forms are fairly limited when it comes to using conditional logic for dynamic guidance text or changing descriptions based on earlier answers.

One workaround you might consider is Smart Forms for Jira, developed by my team. In Smart Forms, you can use conditional logic not only for questions, but also for content elements such as text blocks, headings, instructions, or embedded content.

So instead of changing the description of the same question, you can build it like this:

• Add a previous question, for example: “What type of request is this?”
• Add different instruction/description text blocks below it
• Use conditional logic to show the right text depending on the selected answer

[Trudy P Claspill]

Hello @Sargun 

What type of Space does this concern? Click the ellipsis button next to the Space name in the navigation panel on the left. What do the last two lines in the pop-up say? It will be something like:

Software space
Company-managed

Forms functionality differs between Software and Service Spaces, so the type of the Space will affect the answer we provide.

[Sargun]

Thanks @Trudy P Claspill 

This concerns a company-manged software space!

[Trudy P Claspill]

Hello @Sargun 

Thank you for the additional information.

I believe that condition logic is available natively in forms only within Service projects? I don't have access to my Jira sites at the moment to double check.

Have you already implemented conditional logic in your form in your software project?

If not, then the answer to your question is no.

[Trudy P Claspill]

I just found this document that indicates conditional logic is available in forms in Software projects.

https://support.atlassian.com/jira-software-cloud/docs/conditionally-show-form-fields/

But only a few field types are supported as the basis for the condition.

This page states that you can change the name and description shown for a field in a form in a software project 

https://support.atlassian.com/jira-software-cloud/docs/manage-your-form-fields/

However other information I'm finding indicates that you can't insert a Jira issue field on a form more that once, even if you use conditional logic. 

The work arounds available involve creating multiple form-only fields instead or using multiple custom Jira issue fields. You could then implement an automation flow possibly to copy the data from the non-empty field to your main Jira issue field.

[Sargun]

How would I go about creating multiple form-only fields instead? Could I create form only fields and map them to a particular Jira issue field?

[Sargun]

I do have conditional logic already implemented in my form

[Trudy P Claspill]

With additional research, and access to my Jira instance again, I find that form-only fields are not supported in forms for Software projects. They are only supported in forms for Service projects.

That leaves the only work-around being the creation of multiple custom Jira issue fields with the custom description that you want, displayed conditionally based on form logic. Optionally you could look at automation flows to potentially copy the data from the non-empty custom field to the primary field where you want the information to actually be stored.