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How do I remove a subtask from its parent issue?

Steve Pothier

I wrongly added a subtask to a parent issue. How do I remove the subtask?

I would really like to delete the subtask entirely but probably don't have permission (impossible to tell for sure with this UI since menus that I can't use just don't show so I'm left wondering if I'm looking in right place but don't have permission or looking in wrong place).

But even if I can't delete the subtask, I should be able to remove it from association with its parent task. There is a "+" button near the Subtasks label in the parent issue, but no corresponding "-". Nor can I find any other way to remove the association.

Accepted answers

Jack Brickey

you can convert the sub-task to an issue and then do what you want with it, mark Done or work as an independent task/issue. As Joseph said, deleting an issue is not a great idea. I won't say never but unless there is a real compelling reason and care/thought is given then don't.

Lindsey Snyder_lyl8cj

I think some of the user flow may have changed in JIRA since answers were last posted to this question. I was trying to figure out how to make a subtask into a task, and what worked for me was to

choose 'move' from the options on the ticket screen
On the next screen, I can convert it to a different type

Hope this helps someone!

All comments

Joe Pitt

Subtasks have to have a parent so you can't break the connection except promoting it to a normal issue if you have that permission. If you can't do that I would close it.

Do not delete issues. When you delete it is GONE. Hardly a week goes by without someone wanting to restore an issue. Deleting issues will come back and bite you when it is the most inconvenient. I suggest closing with a resolution value of Deleted anything you want to delete. I implement a special transition only the project lead can execute and it requires filling in a reason field from a select list (such as entered in error, OBE, Duplicate, Other) and explanation text.

Deleting issues destroys historical data. Missing issue numbers will eventually cause a question about what it was and why was it deleted even if it was done properly. Missing data always brings in the question of people hiding something that may have looked bad.

The only viable way to restore an issue is to create a new instance of JIRA and restore a backup that has the issues. Then export them to a csv file and import them to your production instance. You will lose the history.

Jack Brickey

Nic Brough -Adaptavist-

Sub-tasks must always have a parent, and I won't repeat the rest of Joe's answer.

But there is one other option, if you have "move" permission in the project, then try moving the sub-task. One of the options that process will offer you is "change parent", so you can flip the sub-task over on to another issue.

Lindsey Snyder_lyl8cj

I think some of the user flow may have changed in JIRA since answers were last posted to this question. I was trying to figure out how to make a subtask into a task, and what worked for me was to

choose 'move' from the options on the ticket screen
On the next screen, I can convert it to a different type

Hope this helps someone!

Jack Brickey

yep it has indeed changed and Move is the ticket! :-)

Fred Zimmerman

This is 4 steps, which is a lot.

Jack Brickey

What would be a better method?

Fred Zimmerman

One step with reasonable defaults that can be optionally edited -- i.e. assume it is < story points than parent task (2 by default?) & still part of same sprint.

Gheorghe-Aurel PACURAR

I have the same issue but would like some help following your solution. Here is why:

1. I cloned an issue having two subtasks, and I am not the owner of the issues.

2. I want to delete the relation between my issue and these two sub-tasks, as these are not mine.

Remark: I can't change the subtasks type of issue because I don't own them.

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