importing attachments to cloud does import copy file or just a link to it?

[Jay Keck]

When importing attachments either through csv ir API method, is the attachment actually copied up to the cloud, or is just a link to where the file is at during import copied to the cloud? I'm hoping, and assuming it is the former, the file is copied up to cloud and I can delete the file from where they were imported from after import is complete?

[Petter Gonçalves]

Hello Jay,

The correct procedures to import attachments through CSV and REST API will effectively upload the files to your JIRA Instance directly from the URL/Place you have them, so once the import procedure is finished and you confirm your attachments were uploaded, you can safely delete your attachments from the original URL/Place from where the upload was performed.

These would be the correct procedures to import attachments using both formats:

1 - Through CSV file:

Specify the URL of your attachment in an Attachments column within your CSV file.

Assignee, Summary, Description, Attachment, Comment
Admin, "Issue demonstrating the CSV attachment import", "Please check the attached image below.", "https://jira-server:8080/secure/attachment/image-name.png", "01/01/2012 10:10;Admin; This comment works"
Admin, "CSV attachment import with timestamp,author and filename", "Please check the attached image below.", "01/01/2012 13:10;Admin;image.png;file://image-name.png", "01/01/2012 10:10;Admin; This comment works"

Note that URLs for attachments support the HTTP and HTTPS protocols and can be located anywhere that your Jira Cloud site can access. Check this documentation for more details.

2 - Through REST API Calls:

Create a script with the REST API calls as described in this documentation, using the following template:

POST /https://yourcompany.atlassian.net/rest/api/3/issue/{issueIdOrKey}/attachments

Let me know if you still have any questions.