JQL (Jira Query Language) is a powerful tool which allows you to base your search on criteria that you can’t specify in the basic search. The basic search provides the possibility to do this search with the dropdown menu but sometimes it reaches its limit. In this case, you can switch to advanced search which offers you tons of possibilities for special search functions. This article is intended to be a practical guide for anyone working with Jira, regardless of experience.
Jira provides two simple searching interfaces to find your issues quickly and easily. In the latest Jira interface (Jira 7.x), this can be found within the persistent left-hand menu bar. In your sea of issues, you can use it to find things quickly, but it lacks sufficient detail to get specific sets of issues that you may want. JQL, or Jira Query Language, is a powerful tool for creating advanced search queries in Jira. Sometimes, you’ll need to craft a JQL query to create a filter that precisely groups the issues you want to display on your dashboard or board. The smallest unit of a search query consists of a field which is compared by an operator with a field value or a function.
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Moreover, Jira filters can be embedded into Confluence pages, making it easy to share the insights from your JQL queries with your entire organization. Jira allows you to save your JQL queries as filters for future use. These filters can be referenced in various areas of Jira, such as on Dashboards, in Agile Boards, or in other queries using the ‘filter’ keyword.
Using a human readable syntax, JQL provides users with an opportunity to utilize more complex operators and logic than what is available in basic search mode. Jira Query Language (JQL) is a versatile and powerful tool that allows users to create sophisticated queries to find issues in Jira. To get the most out of JQL, it’s important to follow some best practices. Here, we will explore advanced JQL best practices that can help you write efficient, maintainable, and effective queries. Jira’s Advanced Search page provides a user-friendly interface for building complex JQL queries.
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We have already come across the currentUser, which stands for the user who is currently logged in. By placing an exclamation mark or a NOT, you will receive the issues that are excluded from the project (in our example) or the issues that are not assigned to you. The query will return JSON which you can then process in your client application. JIRA gives suggestions at each step of the way for each of the three components of our query.
Copy and paste fields, operators and functions into the Jira search bar, as well as learn more advanced queries. JQL is a versatile tool that enables powerful searches in Jira. While the out-of-the-box features offer many possibilities, apps like ScriptRunner provide additional functionalities for more targeted queries. By combining the right functions and understanding the JQL syntax, you can efficiently manage and navigate your Jira instance to get the most out of it. Why is JQL so crucial in the Jira ecosystem, you might ask?
Use Descriptive Names for Saved Filters
Effective project management requires specific metrics from the issue tracker relevant to your project. As an Atlassian partner we’ve done so in the past with multiple customers through JQL consultations or training sessions. To meet user expectations, Atlassian Marketplace offers some additional apps with JQL functions.
Additional fields can be added by clicking More and selecting the fields you’d like to search on. The filtering options of each field will dynamically update based on the type of the field. For example, date fields, such as createdDate, will display options to choose date ranges, while the assignee field gives a multi-select and user search tool.
JQL: Get started with advanced search in Jira
The developers among you might have had a look at the advanced search in Jira as well. When saving filters for reuse, use clear and descriptive names. jira query language You can also share your queries and filters with other team members. Sharing filters allows others to use the same set of criteria to view issues.
JQL gives you the power to create custom search filters, which dramatically streamlines the project management process. With JQL, you can pinpoint specific tasks, monitor the progress of a project, generate detailed reports, and so much more. Irrespective of the size of your project or the number of issues you’re dealing with, JQL lets you zero in on the issues that are relevant to you.
In all the queries we’ve discussed so far, the data is reflective of the current time the query was run. But values for fields like assignee, priority, fix version, and status often change over the course of an issue’s lifecycle. JIRA stores each update an issue goes through, known as an issue’s change history. We also have a downloadable cheat sheet to keep close on hand as you perform searches with JQL.
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All these elements can be combined in a multitude of ways to form very complex statements. The key is to start small and build up your statement one piece at a time, joining together multiple clauses with keywords, such as AND or OR. There is also an operator IS, which is used together with the keyword EMPTY (→ is or is not ). This checks whether a field is empty, i.e. without a value, or not. In other words, it allows you to search for issues that are not assigned to anyone.
- These filters can be referenced in various areas of Jira, such as on Dashboards, in Agile Boards, or in other queries using the ‘filter’ keyword.
- Query results can be saved and used as filters and views across Jira (including boards).
- Functions are special instructions that can be used in JQL queries to search for issues in a more dynamic or complex way.
- In all the queries we’ve discussed so far, the data is reflective of the current time the query was run.
- Advanced search allows you to build structured queries using Jira Query Language (JQL) to search for issues within and across projects.
- The query states that the company must be Acme, the item must be a cookie, and the quantity needs to be three.