How to query multi line text fields with an empty string as their value

Question

Hi to all,

my filter

project = PRJ AND "Multi Line Text Field" is EMPTY

shows issues that never had a value in the "Multi Line Text Field".

Once an issue had a value in the "Multi Line Text Field" but this value was removed completely, then the filter doesn't show this issue any more.

My assumption is that JIRA distinguishes between "Field has no value at all" and "Field has an empty string as its value". In the user interface, both cases are displayed similar. I can't distinguish them in the user interface.

So my question is:

How can I query those issues where the "Multi Line Text Field" has a value but this value is an empty string?

Thanks in advance & Kind regards

Ralf

Ralf Fahney · Answer

Hi @Kristján Geir Mathiesen,

we're working in the Atlassian Cloud. I don't have DB access ;)

And yes, should I find the answer, I'll post it

Cheers

Ralf

Kristján Geir Mathiesen · Answer

Ah dang it! Too bad that didn't work out. To be honest, these null or empty text searches often seem a bit shaky to me, personally. I mean, since we are not looking for a specific value, the results don't always seem like they should be. But I don't have scientific proof of that :)  Just feel better when searching for a specific value in the db.

Speaking of db, have you looked at the values in that cf in the db and compared? From issues that the JQL returns vs. those the JQL should have returned.

Sorry I couldn't help. Please post your answer, when you find it, on here so the rest of us can learn :)

KGM

Ralf Fahney · Answer

Hi @Italo Qualisoni [e-Core] ,

thanks for your suggestion which I also found prior to asking my question. However, according to my current understanding https://jira.atlassian.com/browse/JRACLOUD-67435 doesn't address my issue.

* I can query issues having no value at all
* But I can't query issues that have a value (is EMPTY doesn't return them) where this value is an empty string (neither '=' nor '~' operators compare to an empty string)

Cheers

Ralf