Set Jira project issue key counter to a custom starting number

Platform Notice: Cloud - This article applies to Atlassian products on the cloud platform.

Summary

By default, issue keys start from 1 in a new Jira project (for example: ABC-1). You might want the issue key number to start from a different place (for example: ABC-901).

Set the beginning project key number using a CSV import

You can achieve this by using the CSV import feature in Jira to map the issue key to your desired number. If you wish to have issues start at issue key 901 (ABC-901), you need to import an issue with an issue counter immediately before the expected issue key.

In this case, you'd import an issue with the key 900 (ABC-900).

  • This action can not be reverted
  • Double-check your desired start number. Always use 1 number below your expected beginning issue key. 
  • If the destination project has already some existing issues, you should not set the issue key/number in the CSV file below the pre-existing issue keys. You can use the issue key/number after your latest issue key.

Create the CSV file

Below is an example of the most basic fields you need to fill while creating a new issue via CSV import. 

Please note that if you have any required custom fields on your project's Create Issue screen, those fields must also be added to the CSV file.

Issue type, Summary, Priority, issue key
Task, Testing, Major, Project_key-xx

Import your created CSV file

  1. Select gear Settings > System

  2. In the Import and Export section, select External System Import 

  3. Select CSV and choose your CSV source file

    1. Leave the Use an existing configuration file option unchecked if you do not have a configuration file or if you want to create a new one

    2. Expand the Advanced section to change the file encoding (UTF-8 by default) and CSV delimiter if needed

  4. Select Next

  5. Use the Import to Project dropdown to select the project you want to make this change to, and select Next
  6. Map all the fields to the appropriate fields in Jira, and select Next
    1. Once the field mapping is done, your results should look like the following screenshot:
      screenshot of issue import process. each of the fields has been mapped to the field name as it appears in Jira. issue type maps to issue type, priority to priority, summary to summary, and issue key to issue key
  7. Select Begin Import


When you return to your selected project, you'll see a new issue with the issue key you selected in the CSV file. You can delete the issue if you wish.

The next newly created issue in this project will start with the issue key immediately following your imported issue key.

To learn more about CSV import, refer to our documentation on Importing data from a CSV file.

Last modified on Feb 19, 2025

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