Is the Documentation for form automation is incorrect?

Question

at the bottom of this page here:

https://support.atlassian.com/jira-service-management-cloud/docs/access-smart-values-for-forms-and-form-fields/

It indicates the proper method to automate using a non-"when form submitted" trigger is {{issue.forms.<UUID>.field-key}}, example:
{{issue.forms.f7142b07-d3a4-4522-a7e4-8799d526e0a6.payroll-salary}}

however, in my own automation I have not gotten this exact syntax to work without producing a blank value. Using the API, I can see my form fields like this:

"2": {                "choices": [],                "description": "",                "label": "Date of Return",                "questionKey": "travel-return",                "type": "da",                "validation": {                    "rq": true                }            }

"questionKey" is what I had been using as my field key, as it's what I assigned it as and reflects the current documented method for looking this up. Also, this questionKey works when using the format {{forms.last.travel-return}}, if using a "when forms submitted" trigger.

So finally, given that this is "key: value" I figured I'd try the 2 here:
{{issue.forms.f7142b07-d3a4-4522-a7e4-8799d526e0a6.2}}

And this finally returned the value I was expecting.

So back to my question: is the documentation correct and can it be clarified to save people from this goose chase I went on? Or, have I fundamentally misunderstood how to automate a form through something like a scheduled trigger, and is there a more up-to-date reference?

James Rosenbaum · Answer

Thanks Susan, happy to be here :)  I used postman for inspecting the API data on the form, and a lot of help from grok/chatgpt to troubleshoot and suggest different work arounds.

I'd hope there'd be an easier way to automate using forms and a schedule trigger, one that my colleagues would be able to use without API/postman knowledge. Perhaps I found a bug, or perhaps I did find the hardest way to a simple answer. Either way, happy if this is either insightful or helpful.

Susan Waldrip · Answer

Hi @James Rosenbaum , just following up that Atlassian directs us to update the Community posts with accurate info as the best way to provide correct instructions, etc. So thanks again for posting the correct info, it'll be helpful to a lot of people when they search the Community.

Susan Waldrip · Answer

Hi @James Rosenbaum , welcome to the community, we're glad you're here!

Thanks for posting your question AND how you figured out the formatting for the forms smart value, that will be helpful to many others. Nice job!

I'm not sure how to get Atlassian documentation updated so I will post this in the Community Champions forum to find out and pass along your suggestion for clarification. Again, thanks and welcome!