Extract Project Data Effortlessly Using Filters in Jira

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In Jira, there are many reporting features to choose from to support your analytics needs. However, it’s no secret that there are limitations as to what project data you can pull and analyze.

If you want to create a report outside of out-of-the-box Jira parameters, you might think the only option is to do it manually – which isn’t true.

By leveraging advanced Jira Query Language you can instantly make customized reports showing exactly what you want to highlight, all within Jira.

Here are four expert tips to help you get the most out of your Jira data by using filters.

Using JQL Filters to Find Issues for Reporting

Jira offers a range of chart gadgets to enable you to analyze your project issues. If you want to zone in on specific issues from a project or from multiple projects, you can simply create a filter using the basic search options. To draw out very specific issues, use advanced JQL.

For example, if you want to create a Single Level Group by Report, you could use the JQL query:

assignee != Alice to find all the issues where the assignee is not Alice

 

Caption: With Single Level Group by Report, you can enter a filter and group the results by a field of your choice.

Using JQL Filters to Customize Your Dashboards

If you optimize your dashboard gadgets by applying filters to them, you can create a range of customized reports.

 

Caption: Apply your saved JQL query to the dashboard gadget to customize your reports.

To truly take advantage of this capability and create very specific reports, you must apply JQL filters. However, do note that even with JQL, you might not be able to truly narrow your issue search – which brings us to the next point.

Leveraging Search Extensions App

Despite JQL’s expansive search capabilities, the feature is still limited by several parameters. If you want to find very specific issues or automatically pull issues that match specific field values,  a search extensions app like JQL Search Extensions for Jira is a viable solution.

The app enables you to create the most efficient queries for your reports. With new functions and more flexible query options, you can create perfectly tailored reports, whether to plug into dashboards or Kanban board reports.

Here’s how using JQL Search Extensions for Jira’s extended query

linkedIssueStatus = Blocked 

allows you to create a pie chart showing all issues that are linked by blockers.

 

Caption: Here’s an example of the pie chart created by an extended JQL query to show blockers.

Creating a Kanban board filter instead? Use the app’s sub-filters function to get the exact focus you need.

 

Caption: This filter will generate a report showing issues with dependencies and ranked by priority.

Using Extended JQL Filters to Automatically Send Weekly Reports

Do you want to receive the above-customized reporting on a weekly basis? 

All you need to do is create and save a filter, then set up a subscription to have reports from the filter sent to you at a certain time and day each week.

For instance, if you want to do a weekly report on all unresolved subtasks in your stories, use the app’s filter:

issue in subtasksOfParentsInQuery(“status=’Done'”) and status=’To Do’

 

Caption: After you save a filter, you can set up a subscription to automatically have reports sent to you at custom intervals.

Drive Your Teams with Greater Data-driven Insights

Reporting is a key aspect of project management as it enables you to communicate project status, track progress, promote workflow visibility, and gain intelligence to help you make better-informed decisions.

Optimize the use of filters to enhance your reporting or better yet, leverage a search extensions app to really narrow your search.

Pro Tip: You can also integrate the app recommended above with other apps like Tempo to pull time-tracking reports 😉.

If you have any questions about Jira filters and how you can expand your search capabilities, drop us a comment below!