Clone ticket not falling into CLONE category in JIRA 7.3.1 Version

[Roja Gurram]

Hi All,

A user has reported an issue with clone tickets.

TEST-11684 is a clone ticket of TEST-11034. On the following board ( Attached screenshot for your reference ) TEST-11684 should fall into the "Clones" Swimlane. However, it is falling into the "New Queries" Swimlane instead.

Can you tell me why this is happening pls ?

Also on the board it's showing only "Reopened Queries" and  "New Queries" Swimlanes  rest of the two Swimlanes not showing.

[Ste Wright · Accepted solution]

Hi @Roja Gurram 

For swimlanes not appearing - only swimlanes with at least one issue matching the JQL will appear on the board. When a swimlane is empty, it's not visible on the board.

For the clones swimlane - have you checked the cloned issues are receiving that link type?

It is possible to remove the link type entirely from Jira or disable the auto-linking using a script - or, it might have been manually removed by a user.

The JQL looks fine so these are possible scenarios it's worth checking for. Just to verify though, if you search for this JQL (within the parameters of the board filter) in the issue search, what does it return?

Ste

[Roja Gurram]

Hi Stephen Wright _Elabor8_,

1) For swimlanes not appearing - only swimlanes with at least one issue matching the JQL will appear on the board. When a swimlane is empty, it's not visible on the board. -

Ok, Thanks for the clarification.

2) For the clones swimlane - have you checked the cloned issues are receiving that link type ? -

I have checked it on the Issue links it's showing" Related to " instead of "Clones". Attached screenshot for your reference. Please let me know if that's wrong.

3) It is possible to remove the link type entirely from Jira or disable the auto-linking using a script - or, it might have been manually removed by a user. -

YES, We can remove the link type Manually in Jira. Attached screenshot for your reference. My question is if we remove the link type "CLONERS" in JIRA User's cannot able to clone issues right.

4) The JQL looks fine so these are possible scenarios it's worth checking for. Just to verify though, if you search for this JQL (within the parameters of the board filter) in the issue search, what does it return? -

Ok, With in the parameters i have given the board filter it shows the same as previous issues ( Lists the number of issues ).

[Ste Wright]

Hi @Roja Gurram 

The issue here appears to be the link type in the issue - if it is listed as "relates to" and not "clones" - then it won't come up in your swimlane as it doesn't meet the JQL parameters.

To check if this is automated or manual, check the issue history and see if a user has manually removed clones / added relates to - or if the link type was set automatically during creation.

If it was automatic, you could just change your JQL to search for "relates to" as opposed to "clones" - although this might bring up non-cloned issues also if it's a link type which is used more generally.

Your alternative is to look into what is causing the auto-change in link type - as it could be a range of reasons, I'd probably start by asking within your Jira Administration team :)

Ste

[Roja Gurram]

Hi Stephen,

Thank you for the prompt response.

I am the Jira Admin, I will check and get back to you with the update on this.

[Roja Gurram]

Hi Stephen,

1) To check if this is automated or manual, check the issue history and see if a user has manually removed clones / added relates to - or if the link type was set automatically during creation. - 

I have checked in issue history user has not changed the LINK TYPE manually.

2) Your alternative is to look into what is causing the auto-change in link type - as it could be a range of reasons, I'd probably start by asking within your Jira Administration team :) - 

How can i check the Auto Link type pls ? However, i have seen "Linked Issues" Custom Field is not present on the SCREENS like create, Edit, view.

Please suggest me accordingly i think "Link Type " is automatic but not sure how i need to check the Link type is automatic or manual.

Looking forward to hear from you again!!!

[Ste Wright]

Hi @Roja Gurram 

You'd need to look in your instance for scripts, automation rules, groovy scripts, etc - that might be running (either on the platform, via workflow create post-functions, on apps or similar).

One further thing you could check is whether the link type "cloners" has been modified to be "related to" as opposed to "clones":

1. Go to Jira Settings > Issues > Issue Linking
2. Check "clones" hasn't been modified to the different wording

If it has, you could change it back - or simply modify your filter from "clones" to "related to"

If it hasn't been changed, check where "related to" falls under from a link type perspective.

Ste

[Roja Gurram]

Hi Stephen,

I don't think "Link Type" has changed. Attached snippet for your reference.

[Roja Gurram]

Hi Stephen,

Can you please assist me on this issue your help is hughely needed.

Thanks a lot for your support till now.

[Ste Wright]

Hi @Roja Gurram 

Perhaps a next step would be to check if "Reference" is the link type used during a clone.

Clone an issue from your board and see what link type is used immediately after creation. If it is "clones", you can also refresh 10-15 seconds later and see if it changes at all (automation rules run just after creation).

If it is "related to" at creation - or it changes soon after - that's when I would start looking into scripts, automation rules, workflow post-functions and similar.

Ste

[Roja Gurram]

Hi Stephene,

I have created test tickets and did the cloning also in ISSUE LINKS it's showing as "Clones" only. Attached screen grab for your reference.

1) Clone an issue from your board and see what link type is used immediately after creation. If it is "clones", you can also refresh 10-15 seconds later and see if it changes at all (automation rules run just after creation). -

Link type showing as "CLONES". Not changed anything after doing refresh.

[Ste Wright]

Hi @Roja Gurram 

Did this issue appear in the swimlane on your board?

This result points to:

1. Issues have not been cloned or not using the "Clone" option - they might be clones, but could have been manually created
2. Issues have been cloned and had their link type modified manually
3. There is a script, workflow condition or similar modifying the link types

I'd look into (1) and (2) first - if cloning is working as expected these are the two most likely scenarios. If you want to look into (3) to make sure, you'll need to do that investigation within your settings.

Ste

[Roja Gurram]

Hi Stephen,

Thanks a lot for providing the clear information on this.

Did this issue appear in the swimlane on your board? - Yes, appeared under the swimlane in the board.

[Roja Gurram]

Hi Stephen,

One dumb question please.

Is it possible to clone a new JIRA ticket from an existing one? 

[Ste Wright]

Hi @Roja Gurram 

You can clone an issue from an existing one:

1. Go to the issue's main view page
2. Press More > Clone

^ Is this what you're looking for?

Ste

[Roja Gurram]

Hi Stephene,

Thank you for the response and solution.