Jira is getting a fresh new look and navigation

We’re in the process of rolling out these changes and the documentation may not match your experience. Bear with us while we update it to reflect the new changes. More about navigating the new Jira

Change a field configuration

Jira admins can make certain fields required or hide them on specific transition screens using field configurations. They can also manage the descriptions that appear with each field.

If you're looking for information on how to change the options a field provides, see how to create a custom fieldadd a custom field to a screen, and edit or delete a custom field in company-managed projects.

Edit a field description

You can add a description to an unlocked field to further explain when that field should be used or what information should be entered. Field descriptions are usually displayed beneath their associated fields when creating or editing a work item. 

Certain fields are locked to prevent changes that will affect the core functionality of your Jira applications. 

  1. Select , then Work items.

  2. In the Fields section, select Field configurations.

  3. Select Configure next to the field configuration you wish to edit.

  4. Select Edit next to the field you want to update.

  5. Enter a new description and select Update.

Hide or show a field

If your team doesn't need a particular field that has been added to a shared screen, you can choose to hide that field within your field configuration. Hiding a field will ensure that it isn't populated with a default value and that it won't appear on any screens (e.g. the Create work item screen) where your field configuration applies. Note that the Summary and Work Type fields cannot be hidden, and that hiding the Fix Versions field will prevent you from using the Change Log report. 

  1. Select , then Work items.

  2. In the Fields section, select Field configurations.

  3. Select Configure next to the field configuration you wish to edit.

  4. Find the field and click Hide to remove the field from all associated screens in this field configuration. Select Show at any time to make the field appear again.

To configure the layout of the work item—which fields appear and the order they appear in—open a work item and choose Configure at the bottom-right. To find out more about configuring the layout, check out Configure field layout in the work item.

Make a field required or optional

Depending on your team or organization's needs, you may want to make certain fields required to ensure that you're gathering the right information at the right time. Note that all required fields must be added to the Create work item screen for associated projects and work types, and that hidden fields cannot be marked as required.

  1. Select , then Work items.

  2. In the Fields section, select Field configurations.

  3. Select Configure next to the field configuration you wish to edit.

  4. You will see “Required” next to fields that have already been marked required. Select Optional to remove this requirement. 

  5. To make an optional, visible field required, simply find the field and select Required

Associate a field with screens

You can associate all visible fields (even locked fields) with screens to make sure the fields show up where and when you want them.

  1. Select , then Work items.

  2. In the Fields section, select Field configurations.

  3. Select Configure next to the field configuration you wish to edit.

  4. Find the field and select Screens

  5. Select or unselect the screens associated with the field and select Update.

Change a field renderer

Renderers affect the way you view a field's value and can be configured separately for a select number of fields (e.g. Description, Comment, or any custom text fields). For these fields, you can see which renderer is currently enabled in brackets beneath the field name and click Renderers next to the field to change it. Check out Configuring renderers for more information on how to use and change field renderers.

Still need help?

The Atlassian Community is here for you.