Is it possible to JQL a Multi-seect values history?

[Calvin]

Hi all, have a multiselect custom field, and users are meant to add the quarters on say Q1_2026, Q2_2026, Q3_2026 etc. 

Idea though is that if they miss Q1_2026 then they add Q2_2026 and the field has both so you know its slipped.

But users are removing out the old Q1_2026 so that it only shows Q2_2026 instead and I've been asked is there any way I can pull that filter/query of what a field used to be or whether it contained the original Q1_2026 value.

Cheers

[Trudy Claspill · Accepted solution]

Hello @Calvin 

There is not a native JQL method to get what you want.

You could consider working with your admins to create an Automation Flow that would be triggered by changes to the field, compare the old value to the new value, and set another field in some manner that you could query the other field to determine if the work slipped.

Another option would be to remove the field from the Edit screen and give the users a custom workflow with a Transition screen (applies only if project is Company Managed) to allow them to only add values to the field, not remove them.

A third option might be again removing the field from the Edit screen, and creating a manually triggered automation flow where you provide the users with a selection list of values, and then you add the values they select to the field. That could work for both Company Managed and Team Managed projects. That would again prevent them from removing values from the field.

Lastly there might be a third party app that would enable you to get what you want. There are several that extend JQL capabilities, such as Enhanced Search for Jira, JQL Tricks, JQL Search Extensions, and others. I'm not sure that any have what you are seeking, but you could review their documentation to see if they do.

[Bartek Szajkowski _ Orbiscend OU]

Hello @Calvin 

Thanks for your question.

If you are open for third-party app, I would like to recommend to check JQL Argon app JQL Argon  - but this is partial solution, because JQL ARGON's changedBy function can help, but with a limitation.

What changedBy CAN do: Find all issues where the "Quarters" field was changed (i.e., someone modified it), combined with a filter that the current value no longer contains Q1_2026.

Example:

issue in changedBy("project = MYPROJECT", "Quarters", "2026/01/01") AND "Quarters" != "Q1_2026"

What it can NOT do: ARGON doesn't filter by the specific old value that was removed. The query above catches all Quarters changes — not only those where Q1_2026 was specifically removed. You'd need to manually review the changelog to confirm Q1_2026 was the removed value.

I hope you will find something useful for you in my answer.

Greetings

Bartek from Orbiscend OU (JQL Argon app provider)