Description Field

Question

How can I make the Description field required? It is a JIRA field for a form and I need to make sure that users of my form complete it every time.

Christos Markoulatos -Relational- · Answer

Hi @frances.suazo

Making the Description field required is a common need for ensuring complete issue details. Here are your options:

Option 1: Use a Field Configuration (Best Practice) like @Joe Pitt suggests

* Go to Jira Settings → Issues → Field Configurations.
* Find the Field Configuration used by your project (or create a new one).
* Click Required next to the Description field.
* Associate this Field Configuration with your project via the Field Configuration Scheme.

Result: The Description field will be mandatory on all screens where it appears.

Option 2: Use a Workflow Validator

If you only want Description to be required at a specific point (e.g., before moving to “In Progress”):

* Edit the workflow.
* Add a Validator to the transition:* Field Required Validator → Select Description.

* Publish the workflow.

Result: Users can create the issue without Description, but they can’t transition until it’s filled.

Option 3: For Jira Service Management Forms

If you’re using JSM request forms, you can:

* Make the Description field required in the Request Type configuration.
* Go to Project Settings → Request Types → Edit Fields → Mark Description as Required.

Helpful Atlassian Docs:

How to make fields required in Jira Cloud:
Adding a field to the Issue Creation widget and making it mandatory

Configure field behavior with field configurations:
Manage issue field configurations in Jira Cloud

Create or edit a field configuration:
Add, edit, and delete a field configuration

Use Field Configurations for global enforcement, or Workflow Validators for conditional enforcement. For JSM forms, configure it in the Request Type.

Hope this helps!

Joe Pitt · Answer

Make it required in the field configuration.