How do I change user display name via MSSQL?

Question

We have updated user first, last and display names from a legacy database.

This has been mapped to Jira cwd_user tables as documented at https://developer.atlassian.com/server/jira/platform/database-user-and-group-tables/

However, after an index rebuild, this (display name) is still not showing correctly in Jira and Service Desk.

Have we missed something?

Thanks, James.

Nic Brough -Adaptavist- · Answer

It should do.  Part of the reason for having it offline is that it loads chunks of the users into memory so it doesn't ask the database for their data all the time.  This can be written back too, destroying the changes you've made.

That can't happen when it's not running - it will build a new cache from the database that you've updated, using your new names.

James Overell_9y8tg0 · Answer

Okay.

With the database offline, can you advise if the process discussed should work or if there is an alternative approach?

Nic Brough -Adaptavist- · Answer

A - JIRA is backed up daily, but was not taken offline when these changes were made.

Ok, right. It is good to have daily backups and I wish more people did that (sadly, including myself, as I found out today that half my atlassian servers were backing up to a failed disk and not telling me)

You need to stop your Jira system and revert to the backup that was last taken before you did this.  This sounds extreme, but it is accurate.  You should never write to the database for a Jira system that is running.  Best case, you get away with it because you've hit on one of the few places it does not matter (I know of four columns I can update safely).  Worst case, you lose the lot, and that can happen a LOT more easily than you think.

Never write to the database for a Jira system that is running.