Can a plain text field be converted into rich text field ?

[Mirela Todorova]

Is there a way in Jira, to convert one existing field/section/paragraph (plain txt) into a rich txt one, without replacing it?  We have a lot of data there and we do not want to lose it.

Example: 

this > to become like this > 

Any workaround to convert this without losing all info, previously added in plain txt ?

[Ste Wright · Accepted solution]

Hi @Mirela Todorova 

Yes you can do this. You need to modify the Field Configuration to make it rich text - to do this:

• Go to your Project's Settings
• Select Issues > Fields from the left-hand menu
• In the top-right corner, select Actions > Edit Fields
• Search for your field using the search box
• Next, on the right-hand side, select the hyperlink Renderers
• Change the renderer to Wiki Style Renderer and select Update

Note: You can also get to the Field Configuration page via Settings > Issues > Field Configurations

Ste

[Mirela Todorova]

@Ste Wright Thanks, I am going through the steps and got blocked at 

• Search for your field using the search box

• Next, on the right-hand side, select the hyperlink Renderers

So right after I click Actions > Edit Fields, I see this

When I tried the search on the top right, it gave me this 

I found the field and see where it says Renderer, but cannot find there to change it from 

[Ste Wright]

Hi @Mirela Todorova 

You're on the Field Configuration Scheme page, rather than Field Configuration. If you click on the hyperlinked Field Config (i.e Copy of [FMP] Default Field Configuration) you should see the search box just above the Name column.

Here's another way you can get there:

• Go to Settings (cog icon top-right) > Issues
• Select Field Configurations from the left-hand menu
• Use the search box to locate your Field Configuration - i.e Copy of [FMP] Default Field Configuration
• Select it, then use the search box on the new page to search for your field

Ste

[Mirela Todorova]

YES! Perfect, thank you!