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How can I move a work item to backlog?

How can I move a work item to backlog?

In Jira, we previously had an option to select the ellipses icon on a work icon, click move > Backlog

After the change, all tickets on my board are no longer showing this option

In other words, can someone please tell me how to move a work item back to backlog from an scrum board?

5 answers

1 vote

Hi @Faheem Maker anbd @Gor Greyan

In active sprint this is possible use the option "Remove from Sprint"

Screenshot 2026-07-30 at 15.23.57.png

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Hi @Marc -Devoteam-

Thanks for the reply.

On my side, I can't find it.

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Unfortunately, this option is only available during a sprint, not on a SCRUM board.

People using sprints will indeed find the above button

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Like • Marc -Devoteam- likes this

Hi @Gor Greyan

I think this is related to permissions, as you also don't see the "Archive" option.

Check the permission scheme on the space.

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Hi @Faheem Maker

Is the board you are using not a Kanban board, then there is no such option, then you have to move the work item back to the status used on the workflow that relates to the "backlog"

Or this relates to the Sprint board on a Team Managed space, then you also can only move status or use the 3dot option on the backlog.

It differs if it's a Team or Company managed space

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Hi @Marc -Devoteam-

If you mean Archive work items, Manage sprints, and Edit work items, I have that.
So, it doesn't appear to be a permissions issue.

Could this instead be related to a feature rollout or a difference in the new Jira experience?

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Hi @Gor Greyan

No it should not be.

I have these option in a Enterprise Jira and on a Free personal Jira and on both I have the option.

I'm in the default administrator role in both spaces on both instances.

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Like • Gor Greyan likes this

Hi @Marc -Devoteam-

It is strange.
My Jira is Premium version, I am the org admin also the Space Admin.

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Hi @Gor Greyan

Are you in the role "Administrators" in the space or in another role or multiple roles?

What permissions do theses roles have?

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Hi @Marc -Devoteam-

I am in Administrator role.
That role has probably all permission.

Edit Issues and Manage Sprints are included in it 100%.

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Like • Marc -Devoteam- likes this

@Gor Greyan

For me if You can't remove sprint and base on your screen (swimlane by story) , sub-task got alway same sprint as parent . That why you don't have this option i think

@Marc -Devoteam-

With the “Remove from Sprint” option, my issue is moved to the next sprint instead of being returned to the backlog.

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Like • Marc -Devoteam- likes this

Hi @Duc Thang TRAN

This might be that this occurs if future sprints are already made.

Yes, this is the case, tested this.

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Hi @Duc Thang TRAN

Thanks for the good catch. I didn't notice that the board is grouped by Stories, it is my Test Project.
I removed the grouping, now it is suggest the Remove from sprint.

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Hi @Gor Greyan

The behaviour with sub-tasks attached by @Duc Thang TRAN is correct

I have the same if a sub-task is part of a Story or Bug, as a sub-task inherits the sprint value.

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Like • Gor Greyan likes this

Yes-Yes @Marc -Devoteam- ,

Already figured it out :D

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Like • Marc -Devoteam- likes this

@Marc -Devoteam-

I learned something new today about "Remove from Sprint” option.

I had never used it in my daily work before. Thanks for sharing the information!

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Like • Marc -Devoteam- likes this

0 votes

Hola Faheem,

It looks like Atlassian has removed the Move to Backlog option from the work item menu in this view. There’s an open suggestion requesting that the option be restored, so this appears to be a current product limitation rather than a board configuration problem.

For now, the native workaround is to move the item from the backlog view. Go to Backlog > locate the work item in its current sprint > drag it into the Backlog section. If you have several planned sprints or a large backlog, you can use the backlog search to locate the item first.

The additional answer showing that the menu may appear after opening the item from the backlog is worth testing. However, I’d still expect drag-and-drop to be the most reliably supported method. Atlassian’s current Scrum backlog documentation also describes organizing work by dragging items between the backlog and sprints.

You may want to vote for and watch the suggestion so you’ll be notified if Atlassian restores the menu option.

Thanks,

James

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0 votes

Hello @Faheem Maker

Seem you are in "Active sprint" menu,

When you are on backlog menu, do you have this choice ?

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I'm not in an active sprint, instead, I'm on SCRUM board (or with sprints disabled).

I can indeed find the option from backlog

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0 votes

Hi @Faheem Maker

Welcome to the Atlassian Community!

I found similiar post from March.
https://community.atlassian.com/forums/Jira-questions/quot-Move-work-item-gt-Move-to-Backlog-quot-option-disappeared/qaq-p/2963226

We can ask @Marc -Devoteam-
To provide any update, if he has.

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0 votes

For someone with the same issue:

Go to Backlog
Search for your issue, and open it in board
You will find the Move Work Item, button under ellipses icon as before

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How can I move a work item to backlog?

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