Is there a way to automate prepended text blocks to the description field?

[AB]

We are looking to automate adding a text block to the top of the description field without clearing the content of the field. 

Desired Workflow:

1. Ticket created via email by reporter
2. Text block prepended to the top of the current description by automation
3. Ticket manually assigned to applicable department
4. Assigned department completes ticket

So far I have created the below automation but can't figure out how to prepend the text block for the action. Adding a value to the box overwrites the current value.

Is this even possible on jira cloud?

[Bill Sheboy · Accepted solution]

Hi @AB -- Welcome to the Atlassian Community!

Yes, this is possible...

• First thing: as you are modifying the description of a just-created issue, I recommend adding a Re-fetch action immediately after the trigger.  There are currently timing issues in the REST API and so the issue may not be fully loaded at the time the trigger is fired.
• Next, please try this in your edit field to pre-pend the text: 

Here is some new text!
{{issue.description}}

We do this to add an INVEST reminder to our user stories for one team.

Best regards,

Bill

[Esther Strom · Accepted solution]

@AB welcome to the community!

Yes, this is definitely possible! You'll use a smart value to get the existing contents of the description field.