Update custom field when ticket is linked

[Danilo Simic]

I am having some trouble with automation rules.

This is the scenario that is happening:

1. For ticket A XYZ field is empty
2. For ticket B XYZ field has a value
3. Open ticket A
4. Link ticket A with ticket B

Expected outcome:

• Field XYZ in ticket A gets same value as field XYZ in ticket B

2 actual outcomes (depending on rule setup):

1. Field XYZ in ticket B gets value as field XYZ in ticket A (value is cleared, field is now empty)
2. Nothing happens (Audit log for automation rules says "Success")

I have tried to setup the rule to copy the field value from the destination ticket and from the trigger ticket, this did not work. I have also used the function {{destinationIssue.customfield_123}}, this also did not work.

Is this maybe a Jira limitation?

[John Funk · Accepted solution]

Hi Danilo,

Can you share the actual automation rule with us? 

[Danilo Simic]

Hi John, this is the original setup. This setup produced the 1st outcome that I mentioned.

[John Funk]

Thanks for sharing. So what do you mean by it didn't work? It said successful but didn't copy the value? 

Is there a specific link type that your users should selecting? Or literally any can be used? What was the specific link you used in your test? 

[Danilo Simic]

Any link can be used, I have tested with multiple link types.

When linking ticket A with ticket B (in the ticket A screen), the desired outcome is that the field value from ticket B is copied to the same field in ticket A.

The actual outcome is that the field value in ticket A is copied to the same field in ticket B. So basically the outcome is the reverse of the desired one.

[Sam Harding]

Hi @Danilo Simic 

It seems like the link source vs destination is not the expected order when it comes through to the automation rule. Can you verify this by logging out `{{destinationIssue}}`?

The issue link trigger has a description on the context in which a link trigger executes:

Rule executes when an issue is linked to another issue. {{issue}} will always refer to the source issue, so if ISSUE-A is blocked by ISSUE-B, this rule will execute on ISSUE-B. To access ISSUE-A, use {{destinationIssue}}

It seems that the rule in question would be executing on issue B, copying over destination issue (A) field.

To fix this, what you can do is do a 'Related Issue Branch' component, and select 'Destination Issue' as the issue type.

Then, inside the branch, Edit Issue as you have done, but instead use `{{triggerissue.customfield_123}}`. I believe that should solve this problem for you.

Hope that helps
Sam

[Danilo Simic]

Hi Sam,

This solved the issue.

Here is the screenshot of how the rule is setup now.

Thank you everyone for the help, it is much appreciated.

[Sam Harding]

Hi Danilo,

Glad it worked for you.

Just a note on the rule you have now, the branch type there being 'For linked issues'  means it will execute the actions on all linked issues, not just the link that triggered the rule. If that's desired, then not a problem. For the case where you just want it purely for the link that triggered the rule, then the branch type of 'Destination Issue' would solve that problem

Cheers
Sam

[John Funk]

Thanks for jumping in @Sam Harding !!

@Danilo Simic  - Glad it is working for you!