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Is it possible to match over multiple lines using a regex?

Alex Bass_lhqd76

Hi,

I'm trying to create a regular expression that I can use to remove email signatures from issues created from emails. I have something that works quite well in Notepad++ but it won't work in a replaceAll() function in a Jira automation over the description field.

One of the problems seems to be that replaceAll() (and also match()) doesn't seem to be able to match linebreaks.

In addition, I have not been able to successfully use '^' or '$' to match line beginnings or endings.

So, my questions are:

1. Can somebody give me working example of a replaceAll() statement that uses '^', '$' and especially '\n'?

2. Is it somehow possible to make the dot greedy so that it consumes newline characters?

Thanks in advance,

Alex

Accepted answers

Yvan Martin_qxvthw

Hi Alex,

Developer from Atlassian here.

Currently the regex expressions in Automation are using Java pattern matching. So when trying out expressions is best to use one that you can select the Flavour of Java e.g. https://regex101.com/?flavor=java&flags=g. The reason ^ and $ aren't working is by default multiline is being turned off (you can simulate that in that regex link). So you need to use the manual way of turning it on which is putting (?m) at the start of the regex.

Similar with using dot matcher on new lines, you'll need to use specify (?s) to force the regex into that mode.

Example of using replaceAll to remove part of an email address from the issue description:
Screen Shot 2022-10-17 at 6.35.14 pm.png

Hope that helps, you can also get in touch with support if you require further help with your rule.

Cheers.