How to Bulk Update Custom Field Type Drop-down in Jira

Cristian0791

Hi members,

As you all know, there are times when we need to update the values of a Custom Field in Jira. While some fields have a few values that can be updated manually, others have a multitude of values, making manual updates impractical.

In this article, I will show you an effective method to bulk update values for a Custom Field of the single drop-down type.

Steps to Bulk Update Custom Field Values

Step 1: Prepare Your CSV File

First, create a CSV file with three columns: Summary, Description, and the Custom Field that you want to update. Here’s what to include:

• Summary: Add dummy values (e.g., "Dummy Summary 1", "Dummy Summary 2").

• Description: Add dummy values (e.g., "Dummy Description 1", "Dummy Description 2").

• Custom Field: Add all the values you need to update in Jira.

Ensure the file is saved in CSV UTF-8 format.

Step 2: Import the CSV File into Jira

1. Create a Dummy Project: Before proceeding with the import, it’s advisable to create a dummy project in Jira. Also, create a context for the custom field within this dummy project to ensure your updates do not affect your live projects.

2. Navigate to External System Import:

   • Go to your Jira instance and navigate to System > External System Import > CSV.

   • Upload the CSV file you prepared in the previous step.

3. Map the Fields:

   • Select the dummy project created earlier.

   • Map the fields from your CSV file to Jira fields as follows:

     • Summary: Map to Summary

     • Description: Map to Description

     • Custom Field: Map to the specific Custom Field you are updating

Step 3: Validate and Complete the Import

• Validate the Data: Before completing the import, ensure that the data mapping is correct and that the values are correctly assigned to the custom field.
  
  

• Complete the Import: Proceed with the import and verify that the values have been updated in the dummy project.

Additional Tips

• Back Up Your Data: Before performing bulk updates, ensure you have backed up your data to prevent accidental loss.

• Test in a Staging Environment: If possible, test the bulk update process in a staging environment to ensure it works as expected without affecting your production data.

• Review and Clean Up: After the import, review the dummy project to ensure all values are correctly updated. You can then apply similar steps to your actual project if needed.

By following these steps, you can efficiently update the values for a custom field drop-down in Jira, saving time and reducing the potential for manual errors.

Feel free to ask any questions or share your experiences with bulk updates in the comments below!

Happy Jira-ing!

Vikrant Yadav

Very Useful, thanks @Cristian0791