Is it possible to add a value to a read only field in Jira using an automation rule?

Question

If I create a readonly field in a Jira ticket, would it be possible to add a specific value to it by an automation. It is not possible to do that using APIs because that field is not in the edit screen. Is it same for automations as well or should it be possible to change it from automation

Gabriela - LeanZero · Answer

Hi @Sanuthma Sandanaki Munasinghe, yes you can. The Text Field (read only) type just controls whether users can edit the field on the screen. The value itself can still be set programmatically. Your API call failed because the field isn't on the edit screen, so add it to that issue type's Edit screen. It will still show as read-only to users, and a REST update (PUT /rest/api/3/issue/{issueKey}) can then write the value. The built-in Edit issue automation action is unreliable for this field type, so from a rule use a Send web request action to call that same endpoint. The one thing the API can't do is clear it back to empty, that's a known bug, JRACLOUD-77845.

Best, Gabriela

Gor Greyan · Answer

Hi @Sanuthma Sandanaki Munasinghe

Welcome to the Atlassian Community!

If you're referring to a read-only field type, then the value typically cannot be updated by Jira Automation or the REST API. Read-only fields are generally intended to display information rather than store editable values, so they don't accept updates through standard edit operations.