Export Workflow as XML vs as Workflow

Kathy Dickason
Contributor
September 27, 2023

When I export a workflow from Jira Data Center, I can export it "As Workflow" or "As XML." What is the difference.  If I want to export it and import it onto a different server, which will bring things in better on the new server?

2 answers

0 votes
Luis Plaza
Contributor
May 29, 2024

Hi @Kathy Dickason 

 

if you plan to export XML of workflows you may use this shell script https://github.com/lplazav/exportjiraworkflows 

There are situations where it may be necessary to copy workflows from one installation to another without having to copy all the data.

On some occasion I found myself in that situation, due to a very critical upgrade, and what I did was to copy the database table involved to a test environment, make the replacements (in my case manual) in the test environment, test, test and test... and then generate a SQL script that replaced the records so it could be run in another environment. I hds to do that to minimize upgrade time in production. All went well.

I don't have to explain to you the risk this entails and the need for extensive testing and rollback plans involving backups and restoration of database tables. Some plugins allow you to make references within a workflow to actions from other workflows and this must be taken into account.

 

Luis

0 votes
Kseniia Trushnikova
Community Leader
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September 29, 2023

Hi @Kathy Dickason,

If the new Jira is the copy of the Jira you'll export a workflow from, then XML export is better since it contains IDs of the workflow elements. On importing the XML file, Jira will map the workflow IDs with the existing ones.

If the new Jira is different to the Jira you'll export a workflow from, then Workflow export is better:

  • Conditions, validators, post functions and properties will not be imported (but you'll still get the full list of all these attributes while importing, so you can restore them manually).
  • You'll be able to map statuses in the workflow to new or existing statuses in the new Jira.
  • The screens and custom fields used in the workflow will be created automatically.

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