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How do I make the "Feature Link" field display like the "Parent Link" in Jira Data Center?

Dan Spearing_30hyf8

When selecting a "Parent Link" in an issue from the dropdown, the list is populated with issues that start with the issue icon, then the issue key, followed by the issue summary. After the parent link is selected, the issue is displays in the "Parent Link" field as the same way (issue icon, key Summary).

When selecting "Feature Link" in an issue from the dropdown, the list is populated with entries that have a 5 digit number, then the Summary, and then the key in parenthesis. When selected, It just displays the Summary.

Is there a way to get the "Feature Link" field to function and display the same way as the "Parent Link"?

Accepted answers

John Funk

Hi Dan,

By chance, did you change the name of the Epic issue type to Feature and adjust your issue type hierarchy accordingly?

All comments

Marc -Devoteam-

Hi @Dan Spearing

Can you elaborate by adding some screenshots?

On topic Feature Link seems like a created custom field with options or is from a 3rd party app.

Parent Link is an ootb function from the system to link issues based on hierarchy, that can be visualised in Plans

This field provides issues that are higher or lower in the issue hierarchy, depended on the issue type you are editing this field in.

John Funk

Hi Dan,

By chance, did you change the name of the Epic issue type to Feature and adjust your issue type hierarchy accordingly?

Dan Spearing_30hyf8

Thanks for the reply @Marc -Devoteam-

Via another post I made on the forum (and not being a Jira System admin to be able to confirm) I was told that "Parent Link" is OOTB for Epics and above. "Feature Link" is OOTB for Story level issue types. I would love for there to be "Parent Link" fields at all levels, but I was told this is just the way Data Center works. If they can be the same at all levels in Data Center, please advise.

Below is a hacked up screen shot, "Parent Link" on top, "Feature Link" on the bottom. These are all in the same image so I hope it is clear.

Thanks in advance!

Dan Spearing_30hyf8

Hi @John Funk

I don't know if something like this was done by our System Admins. This is what is defined in our instance:

Screenshot 2026-02-05 121209.png

Does this answer your question?

Marc -Devoteam-

Hi @Dan Spearing

So this was Epic Link. I think someone renamed this in you instance.

This is the ootb option to link issue type standard level to Feature (Epic).

Parent Link is related to hierarchy levels above Epic and can be user with Plans.

If you would not have Plans, then the field Praent Link would not exist in the instance.

This can't be named the same,

Dan Spearing_30hyf8

I'm ok with the naming being different. I would just like the functionality to be the same.

With the "Feature Link" functionality, I have to click the field to find the issue key and issue type as it doesn't show it to me. In my hierarchy you will notice that there is a Feature (lightning bolt icon) and an Epic Issue type. Is my story a child of a Feature or Epic? I have to browse in order to find out.

So my question is, is there a way to get these two fields to "function" the same way?

John Funk

Yes - based on this, the Epic level has be renamed to Feature. Therefore, the Feature Link is the "Epic Link" and would only show Epics. Then the Solution Epic would be the Parent Link to the Epic/Feature, and the Portfolio Epic would be the Parent Link to the Solution Epic.

In Jira Cloud the Epic Link (or Feature Link) and Parent Link have been deprecated and just replaced with Parent so it is less confusing.

Dan Spearing_30hyf8

@John Funk I'm ok with the naming being different. I would just like the functionality to be the same.

So my question is, is there a way to get these two fields to "function" the same way?

See image below in my reply to Marc.

Thanks!

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