JQL: The most flexible way to search Jira

If you have installed JIRA extensions, some extensions may customize certain fields. For example, if you want to find issues with the status “closed,” the field would be “status.” For each condition, find the corresponding field from the list of fields below.

This is what it looks like once the JQL is auto-built based on your input. Don’t stop at courses, explore certifications that are relevant to you. Completing certifications can also add value to your professional skill set and demonstrate your expertise. jira query examples To become proficient in JQL, it’s imperative to go beyond the basics and continuously refine your skills. This will do two things – it will be easier for you to build the query in small pieces & it will also control the order of operations.

Operators in Jira Query Language

For example, if you wanted to see all the critical bugs created in the last 30 days from project AR that are not fixed – this is what the basic search would look like. Since JQL is basically an advanced way to search issues in Jira, it is the issue navigator where you can write the jql query. Easiest way to navigate to the issue navigator is by using the ‘View all issues’ menu item available under the ‘Filters’ dropdown in the top navigation of Jira. This section will focus on dissecting a handful of complex queries to deepen your understanding of how Jira jql queries work in practice.

To recap, in this guide you’ve learnt the nuts & bolts of Jira Query Language, a powerful tool for advanced searching in Atlassian Jira. That’s where we explored fields, operators, values, keywords, and functions, the building blocks of JQL queries. We also discussed the advantages of advanced search over basic search, highlighting its precision and flexibility. So more often than not, you will work with your colleagues in there. That’s where the workload of creating various JQL queries can be distributed amongst the team.

Searching in Jira: how do I start?

In fact, Atlassian marketplace boasts of a number of popular apps that are built to extend the power of JQL & a few others that are built on the power of JQL. So it is natural for anyone who wants to use Jira to learn writing JQL queries. When you have hundreds of columns and tens of thousands of rows, it’s much easier to use a database to store information and use Structured Query Language (SQL) to access the data.

Simple, check the entire query below & notice how we have added the OR keyword, used brackets to combine two seemingly different criteria together. The entire list of operators along with their usage can be found here. These are nothing but a medium to compare the fields & corresponding values. DM me if you’d like a batch of printed copies for your team and I’ll post by snail mail (to addresses in the Uk).

Practice with Real-World Scenarios

We will start with the basic concepts & then debate about utility of JQL in the age of AI, along the way covering some advanced topics. And yes, we’ve included a Jira JQL cheat sheet for handy reference. For example, spreadsheets are a great way to store information until they become unwieldy, and even a basic lookup on such sheets might crash the system, let alone advanced search. Visit the Jira product guide to learn more about JQL, advanced search with use cases, and more. Different query conditions can be combined into a more complex query using AND and OR.

You can even create custom software that runs SQL queries to retrieve data and presents the information in intuitive ways. If you have many conditions, you can use parentheses to control the priority. Please note that the field list above is the built-in list in JIRA.

Operators

It includes the most commonly used functions, operators, and syntax examples, making it easier for you to construct queries without having to memorize everything. By implementing these tips and tricks, you can make the most of Jira advanced search and significantly improve your ability to manage and track issues in Jira. Whether you’re saving and sharing filters, setting up subscriptions, or leveraging advanced functions, these strategies will help you use JQL more efficiently. Highlighted toggle lets you switch between the Basic & JQL (aka advanced) search.Basic search itself lets you choose the fields & corresponding values that you want to search for.

Atlassian Jira is meant to be used as a collaborative project management tool. Since the purpose of JQL queries is to retrieve information from Jira based on advanced user needs, it needs to follow a certain pattern or structure. This detailed guide about JQL or Jira Query Language will set you on the path to success with sufficient breadth & depth of knowledge. It is full of practical examples & points you in the right direction for detailed documentation. The “in” keyword will include any item that matches any item in the list.

We noted the convenience of natural language query builders while acknowledging the limitations and ongoing need for human oversight. Even as AI evolves, understanding and verifying JQL queries will remain a valuable skill, especially in complex and highly regulated environments. Our verdict – AI or not, the need to learn Jira Query Language will remain in demand. If not for building complex queries but for verifying them, when generated through AI. Just bookmark the official Jira documentation links (shared above) for quick referencing. It can save you time and help you quickly resolve any queries you may have.

• For example, if you wanted to see all the critical bugs created in the last 30 days from project AR that are not fixed – this is what the basic search would look like.
• And yes, we’ve included a Jira JQL cheat sheet for handy reference.
• By keeping documentation accessible, practicing with real-world scenarios, leveraging learning resources, and using a cheat sheet, you can continually enhance your JQL skills.
• Our verdict – AI or not, the need to learn Jira Query Language will remain in demand.

Tip – One easy way to see the limitations of basic search is to try & switch to the Basic search from JQL search. Remember how Jira itself converted basic search into the JQL query? Well, now if your JQL is complex it will say something like ‘This JQL query is complex & cannot be converted into a basic search’. For example, the default priority field has possible values of Blocker, Critical, Major, Minor, Trivial.

Getting Started with JQL

AI features are currently available only on the Cloud versions of Jira, so DC instances of large organisations still rely on human written JQL queries. Even on cloud, companies from highly regulated industries are on the fence about using AI. They see that as a potential threat for exposing their proprietary data. By keeping documentation accessible, practicing with real-world scenarios, leveraging learning resources, and using a cheat sheet, you can continually enhance your JQL skills. Well, as it turns out – the above logic also applies to the popular project management tool, Atlassian Jira. There are some Jira instances out there with hundreds of thousands of issues/tickets tracked in them.