Automation copying custom fields doesn't work

[Pauline Hild]

Hi everyone,

I've got a question concerning the automation rule I created. I want the automation to copy certain custom fields (summary, description, due date) from the parent task to the subtasks. For creating the subtasks, I'm already using an automation rule that works. 

My problem: When I add information to one of those custom fields in the parent task, they aren't copied to the subtask --> the automation doesn't work. 

I added a screenshot of my rule and the audit log. 

Thanks you in advance

Pauline 

[Nic Brough -Adaptavist- · Accepted solution]

So the fields you're trying to copy are not custom fields, but that doesn't affect the rule you've defined.

There are a couple of things in the rule you've shown us that might be a problem.  The way the rule reads at the moment is

"When I create a task, then with its subtasks, edit three fields".  

Problem 1 - when you're creating a new task, it won't have any sub-tasks.  They can only be created after the parent has been created

Problem 2 - you've got a block that says "edit fields" but there's nothing here to tell us what you are editing - it obviously needs to say "copy field content from parent issue", but you've not shown us how you have told it to do that

On the second problem, it may be that you've set it up fine, but it's never executing it because it hasn't got any issues to actually do it to.

[Pauline Hild]

Ok, I understand the problems you explained but how can I solve them to make it work? 

Here's a screenshot from die "edit fields" block (I created it according to a tutorial on YT) 

[Nic Brough -Adaptavist-]

That's great, you've absolutely nailed the action in that screenshot, it should do exactly what you describe you want.

So the problem is the "when" not the "get stuff done" part of the rule.  You'll need to change that to be triggered at a different time,

You say "when I change a field on the parent issue", so you should be using a trigger of "issue edited" not "issue created".  I'd recommend "one of these fields is updated" rather than "anything on the issue changes", but I'm not 100% sure that's the right rule for you.

  I think the rest of your automation should work fine, you've got the "with sub-tasks" loop in it, and the action looks completely right in your second screenshot.

[Pauline Hild]

I changed the trigger to "Issue updated" and now it worked, it's fantastic!!

Thank you very much for your help!