Creating rank order for single select lists

Question

One of the things we're currently using Jira for is bug tracking, so we created a custom field to capture the severity of a bug.  We added this custom field as a column in the default Issue Navigator so we could see bug severity and priority side by side (we would like to have both).

The problem is that when you try to sort by severity, it does it alphabetically instead of the way they're ranked in the drop down. Is there any way to get around this?

Beth Schaeferma · Answer

You might also consider trying only the numbers and then defining the "legend" in the field description. The description might read like this:

1 = showstopper, 2 = severe, 3 = high, 4 = medium, 5 = low

That would also allow you (I think) to use the numerical field data in scripted gadgets, for example, if you wanted to chart or matrix the data.

Nic Brough -Adaptavist- · Answer

Same here - that's worked before.  How about spaces on the front?

Ryan Belmont1 · Answer

Gave this a shot.  For some reason, I'm still getting weird results on sorting.  Sorting down, I get

1. Showshopper

2. Severe

4. Medium

5. Low

3. High

I am perplexed.  It's still sorting alphabetically with numbers in front.