Is it possible to update fields in existing Jira tickets with an Excel file?

[Karyna Lysikova]

Hi everyone,

I need to update specific fields in already existing Jira issues using an Excel file. The issues are identified by their issue keys, and I want to modify certain fields (e.g., status, assignee, custom fields, etc.).

Is there a way to achieve this using Jira’s built-in import functionality, or do I need an external app like ScriptRunner or another plugin?

If anyone has experience with this, I’d appreciate any guidance or best practices.

Thank you in advance!

Best regards,

Karyna

[Jack Brickey]

Hi @Karyna Lysikova , yes, this can be done natively. You simply perform a CSV import, and you need to ensure that you include the issue key in one of the columns. Any values included for other existing fields will be updated. If you plan on doing this regularly I recommend that you first test with a single issue until you get it working the way you want and save the import template so it can be reused.

[Karyna Lysikova]

Hello @Jack Brickey

thank you for your reply.

Could you please let me know if there are fields that are already filled in in existing tickets - will they be then with the new import overwritten? 

How should I do that correctly, so that I only update fields (or fill new fields using import file) that I have in my CSV import file?

Appreciate your help.

[Jack Brickey]

Hi @Karyna Lysikova , basically whatever fields you include in your import will result in updating the field.

Example:

• your header row = issue key, summary, custom field 1
• you have three rows of data (three issues)
• after import the three issues will be update including the Summary and the custom field 1 to match the CSV contents

if you dont want fields updated then don't include in the CSV file. What I recommend is to first create a JQL query and set you columns to represent the fields you will update. Export the query then massage the CSV to represent what you want updated then import.