My bulk import is not creating, just updating

Question

I am working on a CSV template to create an Epic and child tasks. The intention is to use this template to create multiple Epics with the same child tasks. Import1 works as expected, creating IM-1 through IM-11. Import2 also works, creating IM-12 through IM-21. The problem is on the 3rd import. On the 3rd import, it does NOT create anything new, instead updating all the tickets in Import1, IM-1 through IM-11. This has happened in both Test projects I have created. I am following all the relevant documentation Parent Child Mapping Import Using CSV Creating issues using CSV Here is the template CSV. For each subsequent import, the info in <> is replaced with unique text. The Work item Key, Work item id, and Parent values are incremented for each import to prevent conflict. Work type,Work item Key,Work item id,Parent,Status,Summary,Description Epic,CIN-1-1,1-1,,To Do,Cinematic: , Design,CIN-1-2,1-2,1-1,To Do,Design Cinematic and create Confluence page - , Animation,CIN-1-3,1-3,1-1,To Do,Initial blockout of the cinematic - , Animation,CIN-1-4,1-4,1-1,To Do,Mocap initial animation - , Animation,CIN-1-5,1-5,1-1,To Do,Mocap Cleanup - , Animation,CIN-1-6,1-6,1-1,To Do,Animate prop - - , Animation,CIN-1-7,1-7,1-1,To Do,Retargeting and scene setup - , Art,CIN-1-8,1-8,1-1,To Do,Create environment - , Art,CIN-1-9,1-9,1-1,To Do,Create prop - - , Art,CIN-1-10,1-10,1-1,To Do,Create app thumbnail - , Task,CIN-1-11,1-11,1-1,To Do,Implement cinematic in app - ,"Import avatar animations (male and female) Import camera animation Import environment Set up timeline resources Set up environment (includes lighting) Camera cuts (Animation) VFX SFX Testing" Here is the relevant section from the Import log when it updates instead of creating 2025-07-02 23:40:59,828 INFO - Importing: Work Items 2025-07-02 23:40:59,828 INFO - ------------------------------ 2025-07-02 23:40:59,828 INFO - Only new items will be imported 2025-07-02 23:41:00,210 INFO - Updating work item: [externalId='3-1', summary='Cinematic: Final Boss'] 2025-07-02 23:41:01,143 INFO - Updating work item: [externalId='3-2', summary='Design Cinematic and create Confluence page - Final Boss'] 2025-07-02 23:41:01,742 INFO - Updating work item: [externalId='3-3', summary='Initial blockout of the cinematic - Final Boss'] 2025-07-02 23:41:02,243 INFO - Updating work item: [externalId='3-4', summary='Mocap initial animation - Final Boss'] 2025-07-02 23:41:02,629 INFO - Updating work item: [externalId='3-5', summary='Mocap Cleanup - Final Boss'] 2025-07-02 23:41:03,180 INFO - Updating work item: [externalId='3-6', summary='Animate prop - Epic Beard - Final Boss'] 2025-07-02 23:41:03,605 INFO - Updating work item: [externalId='3-7', summary='Retargeting and scene setup - Final Boss'] 2025-07-02 23:41:04,035 INFO - Updating work item: [externalId='3-8', summary='Create environment - Final Boss'] 2025-07-02 23:41:04,437 INFO - Updating work item: [externalId='3-9', summary='Create prop - Epic Beard - Final Boss'] 2025-07-02 23:41:04,811 INFO - Updating work item: [externalId='3-10', summary='Create app thumbnail - Final Boss'] 2025-07-02 23:41:05,197 INFO - Updating work item: [externalId='3-11', summary='Implement cinematic in app - Final Boss'] 2025-07-02 23:41:05,670 INFO - 0 out of 11 work items successfully created 2025-07-02 23:41:05,670 INFO - 11 work items successfully updated

Mohanraj Thangamuthu · Answer

To confirm the same work item key is not present on the project/site?. Work items will get updated only when there is an work item with similar key present already. You can use a different key on the .CSV file as well. Make suer this key is not present on the site. Thanks!

Josh Thaler · Answer

That key was not present.

I am specifically trying to use this format to create an Epic with child tasks. Why would I not use the Key and ID fields?

Luka Hummel - codefortynine · Answer

Hi @Josh Thaler and welcome to the community!

It looks like your CSV import is updating because you’re including an Issue Key column (or another unique identifier) in your template. Jira’s CSV importer will always match on a key if one is provided, and update that existing issue rather than creating a new one.

I’m with codefortynine (the creators of Deep Clone for Jira), and for exactly this use case we recommend our Epic/Tree Clone feature. Instead of wrestling with CSVs, you can:

* Navigate to your template Epic in Jira and click the action menu ••• > Deep Clone.
* Select Epic/Tree Clone to duplicate the Epic plus all its child issues in one go.
* Choose your target project, adjust any field‐editing presets you need, and proceed with the clone. Deep Clone will create a brand-new Epic (e.g. IM-22) with its own set of child tasks (IM-23, IM-24, …) without ever touching the originals.

This approach ensures each import truly creates fresh issues, preserves your hierarchy, and avoids key-collision headaches.