How to change the data type of an existing Jira custom field

Shaun McGuire

I have two custom fields that currently contain data and are originally created with a Date Time datatype. I need to convert them to Date only, so the user isn't required to enter a time when updating these fields in a Jira issue.

What is the best method to do this? I want to "reuse" the same field names as the original, and I need to make sure I keep the data values that are already in the Jira system.

I do not have script running capabilities, so I need to be able to do this in the JIRA UI somehow.

Thanks in advance for any help.

John Funk

Hi Shaun,

Unfortunately, there is no way to change the field type. You will need to create a new field with the next type. Although Jira will let you name the field the same exact name, you shouldn't. You can update it to the same name as the current one eventually (after fully deleting the current one). 

After you create the new field, you can use an automation rule to copy the data over. 

To do that, create a Scheduled Trigger rule. You can choose one time a day or whatever because it won't matter. 

Then add a JQL to the Scheduled Trigger form something like "Field Name" is not empty.

Where field name is the exact name of of the date/time field. 

Then add an action for Edit Issue. Select the new field you created. 

The click the 3 dots beside the field and choose Copy. 

Then click the words Current Issue and change the field you are copying from to be the original date/time field. 

Save and publish everything (or Update is the fancy new word now for the rule). 

Then you should be able to click on Run Rule Now or something like that. 

Now, having said all of that, I like to test it first with a single rule. So following all of the above, I just use a JQL in the Scheduled Trigger for something like: key = ABC-123 where that is a single issue you want to test. 

Run the rule and check the results. If all good, then you can change the JQL back to do more issues.