📖Simplify Your Jira Service Management: Native Forms vs Dynamic Forms Explained

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Collecting the right information from customers or team members through Jira Service Management can feel limiting. Native Forms (ProForma) work well for basic needs, but they can struggle when you need more advanced field logic, data validation, or multilingual support. If your processes are more complex, Dynamic Forms from the Extension for Jira Service Management  app can boost your capabilities without complicating your workflow. Let’s break down exactly how you can build effective forms in Jira and when you might want to take it further with Dynamic Forms.

Step 1: Enable native Forms (ProForma) in your project

In Jira Cloud, Forms are already enabled! If you’re using Jira Data Center:

• Go to Jira Settings > Apps > Manage apps.
  
  
• Find ProForma and click Configuration.
  
  
• Turn on the toggle next to the desired project and/or issue forms.
  
  

✅Tip: In Cloud, you’ll find Forms in your Project settings.

Step 2: Create a basic form in your service project

• Navigate to your project > Forms.
  
  
• Click Create form, choose the type you want to create (for example, Story), name your form, and add the fields you want.
  
  
• Use drag and drop to group fields into sections.
  
  
• (Optional) Use one of the 300+ templates to speed things up by clicking on Templates.
  
  

📌You can add elements like tables, columns, and info boxes to structure your form nicely.

Step 3: Attach the form to a request type

• Still in Project settings, find the Request form section.
  
  
• Turn on the toggle to enable the form for a request type.
  
  
• Select the request types where you want the form to appear.
  
  

The form will be visible beneath the standard Jira fields on the Customer Portal.

Step 4: Link form fields to Jira fields for better automation

• Open the form editor and link individual form fields to Jira issue fields.
  
  
• This ensures data is automatically filled and usable in JQL, reports, or automations.
  
  

🔴Limitations: Native Forms only allow simple conditional logic ("is equal") and one-to-one field mapping.

Step 5: Automate actions based on form submissions

• Go to Project settings > Automation.
  
  
• Create a new rule using triggers like Form submitted.
  
  
• Add actions like assigning issues, sending notifications, or copying forms to issues.
  
  

📌You can also use conditions and branches to make your automations more dynamic.

Dynamic Forms characteristics

If you hit the limits of native Forms, Dynamic Forms from the Extension for Jira Service Management can help.

With Dynamic Forms, you can:

• Add advanced field types (e.g., attachments).
  
  
• Set complex conditional logic (multiple conditions per field).
  
  
• Use validators for stricter data input rules.
  
  
• Translate field names and descriptions for multilingual teams.
  
  
• Skip manual field mapping- saving huge amounts of setup time.
  
  
• Reuse fields across request types without duplication issues.

Native Forms (ProForma) vs Dynamic Forms (Extension for Jira Service Management) comparison

Feature	Native Forms (ProForma)	Dynamic Forms (Extension for JSM app)
Ease of setup	✅Very easy	✅ Easy
Field Types	🟡Basic only	✅ Basic + advanced fields (attachments, checkboxes, etc.)
Conditional Logic	🟡Simple (one condition)	✅Complex(multi-condition)
Validators	❌Basic validation optionsNone	✅ Advanced validation options
Multilingual Support	✅Available	✅ Field translation available
Field-to-Jira mapping	🟡 Manual linking needed	✅ Automatic + easy linking
Reuse fields across request types	❌ No (must copy forms)	✅ Yes (centralized fields)
Best for	Simple forms, basic workflows	Complex forms, advanced workflows

Legend:
✅ = Available and easy to use
🟡 = Available but limited
❌ = Not available

Summary

Native Jira Forms (ProForma) are perfect for small teams or simple workflows needing basic information collection. They’re easy to set up, included for free, and work well out of the box. But when your needs grow- when you require detailed logic, better validation, or multilingual forms- Dynamic Forms via the Extension for JSM app are a game-changer. Choose the right tool based on your team’s complexity today- and where you expect to be tomorrow.