How to update a custom field dropdown/search menu using jira python api?

Yang, Nini

Hi, I was wondering if someone could help explain how I would be able to update a custom field using the jira python api.

Normally, this custom field is added manually by typing the item key to be attached into the search bar, then selecting the item that appears from the drop-down menu. Once selected, the item appears as a box under the custom field. After saving, the same linked item can be viewed after closing and re-opening the edit menu. 

 

I attempted to update the custom field using 

new_issue.update(fields = {"[custom field id]": { "key": feature_issue.key }})

but the field doesn't seem to link the given key to an actual item as the selection disappears upon re-opening the edit menu

 

Hopefully my drawings below can explain my ask. Any guidance is appreciated, thanks!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Trudy P Claspill

Hello @Yang, Nini 

Welcome to the Atlassian community.

What is the field type of the custom field? Is the custom field a multi-select Issue Picker field?

For a multiple selection list I believe you need to declare each value you want to add as a pair inside of curly braces and use "value" as the key.

{"value": feature_issue.key}

And since you might have multiple values you would separate them with commas:

{"value": feature_issue.key}, {"value": another_issue.key}

And encompass the entire list in square brackets

[{"value": feature_issue.key}, {"value": another_issue.key}]

If you have only one value to add you still need to encompass it in brackets.

[{"value": feature_issue.key}]

 

So, try this:

new_issue.update(fields = {"[custom field id]": [{ "value": feature_issue.key }]})