How to convert a task to SubTask using Automation

[Jaspinder Singh Virdee]

I want to convert a task to a subtask and the parent key ID is available in a custom field. How can I do this?

As soon as the task is created, I would like to convert it to a subtask. 

I tried to edit the task using automation and added these additional values - 

{
"fields": {
"parent": {
"key": "ABC-5123"
}
}
}

But through this error -  (Given parent issue does not belong to appropriate hierarchy.)

Edit 1 - Why not create the subtask in the first place? Why to edit type?

So the issue is created in the Service Desk Portal and the Portal can not create the subtask. So based on a condition, I need to modify the task to a subtask.

[Trudy Claspill]

Hello @Jaspinder Singh Virdee 

Before we get into how to solve this, can you tell us what problem you are trying to solve to begin with by converting ever issue to a subtask? Why not just create a subtask initially?

I saw another post similar to this here:

https://community.atlassian.com/t5/Jira-Software-questions/jira-automation-convert-issue-into-a-subtask-assigned-to-a-task/qaq-p/2123663

The suggestion was to also change the issue type as part of the Edit action, but that did not seem to solve the problem.

I have seen this post that suggests that a better option is to use the Clone action to make a copy of the issue, electing to create it as a subtask, and then deleting the original issue.

https://community.atlassian.com/t5/Jira-Software-questions/Automation-issue-Move-Task-type-to-Subtask/qaq-p/2099778

[Jaspinder Singh Virdee]

So the issue is created in the Service Desk Portal and the Portal can not create the subtask. So based on a condition, I need to change the task to the subtask.

[Trudy Claspill]

Do you expect the issue to remain visible to the customer through the portal after you convert it to a subtask?

Are you considering the second option to clone it into a subtask and then delete the original issue?

Automation does not support the Convert option nor the Move option. In some cases you can work around that by using Edit to change the issue type, but that doesn't seem to work for converting an issue to a subtask as per the first post.

[Jaspinder Singh Virdee]

I am not expecting it to be visible on the portal. I am okay with the clone and delete original issues option. But how to delete the ticket?

[Trudy Claspill]

Automation for Jira includes a Delete Issue action. Use that.