Post Function update to Custom Field only if field is empty

Question

In one of our Workflows used by many spaces we have a Post Function in which when the issue moves from Design status to Development status we populate a Custom Field called Design Approver with the name of the person that performed the status move. We are using the suggested %%CURRENT_USER%% value.

Our challenge is that if that custom field is already manually populated when the status moves we do NOT want to update the field with the %%CURRENT_USER%% value.

Since this Workflow is used by several spaces I am trying to avoid using automation.

Am I missing something in the Post Function that will not overwrite the field? TIA

Laura Peterson_t4kyuc · Answer

Post functions don’t have a built-in “only set if empty” condition. They will overwrite the field if it’s configured to update it. If you need that logic, you’d typically handle it in Jira Automation with a condition like “Design Approver is empty” before setting the value. That’s the cleanest way without impacting other projects/workflows.

Trudy P Claspill · Answer

Hello @Kathleen Hamilton

Does the transition include a screen where this field can get set/cleared manually?

The native workflow post function for setting/updating a field doesn't include the ability to add conditions. That would require a third party app.

If the transition doesn't include a screen where the field can be set/cleared manually then a work around is:

* Create a second transition that matches the first one for starting and ending statuses.
* In the original/first transition set a condition for the specified custom field being empty. That transition, which sets the field, will be available only if the field is empty.
* In the second/new transition set a condition for the specified custom field being not empty, and remove the post function that sets the field. That transition will be available only when the field already has a value, and by removing the post function you won't overwrite the value.