Jira filter doesn't show items with empty parameter if use '!='

Question

Hi

If I use search

project = [project name] AND labels != [label1]

it should display ALL items without [label1], but it doesn't show items without labels at all

it's working properly only if use:

project = [project name] AND (labels != [label1] OR labels is EMPTY)

but why?

condition 'labels != [label1]' the same as empty label (because provided label is not present in the item - so it should be found successfully)

Nic Brough -Adaptavist- · Answer

It's not a bug, it's working as intended.

Alex Gych · Answer

yep, i understand that it doesn't work, but it's so confusing.

when i use operator '!=' - i expect that it will display all items without this parameter (even if parameter is empty).

So for me, answer 'it's not a bug - it's a feature' shouldn't be in this case.

Jose Luis Gaitan · Answer

Hello, @Alex Gych ;

The "!=" operator doesn't work with fields that has no value, so if you want to show null values too, you must do using the "is EMPTY" operatos, as you did it.

Please, see this link for more information about this operator:

https://support.atlassian.com/jira-software-cloud/docs/advanced-search-reference-jql-operators/