Unable to set automation that sets a custom field on change of another field

[Lamija Pasalic]

Have a custom field called Duration. Want to define it as difference between Project start and Project target (also custom fields, date). 

Edit work item07/18/2025, 10:38:22

Edited work item successfully, however some of the set fields aren't available. Fields ignored:

Duration is a field of type number. Let's ignore for a moment the formula I want to set, even if I try to set it to lets say a value of 5, I always get the above error message. I get it for every other field I may want to edit via automation. The field is visible in all views, also the quick edit idea view. 

[Bill Sheboy · Accepted solution]

Hi @Lamija Pasalic -- Welcome to the Atlassian Community!

For a question like this, context is important for the community to help.  Please post the following:

• what version of Jira are you using: Cloud, Server, or Data Center
• for Cloud, what type of project is this: company-managed, team-managed, JPD, etc.
• an image of your complete automation rule in a single image for continuity
• images of any relevant actions / conditions / branches
• an image of the audit log details showing the rule execution

Thanks, and kind regards,
Bill

[Lamija Pasalic]

I am using Jira Cloud, and this is a JPD project, of which I am owner and admin. 

The error I am getting regardless of what field I am trying to update, even if I don't use a formula.

See workflow above. 

It triggers correctly, every time I try update either project start or target it fires. But the error I am getting is always the same. 

Edited work item successfully, however some of the set fields aren't available. Fields ignored:

I get the same error message regardless of what field im trying to change. I first through my formula wasnt correct so I started testing by simply manually inputting any values - still the same error message. I tried to change the workflow to set another field, and not Duration, for example a text field. Same error. All the fields that I am trying to change are visible in the main Ideas board and the quick edit view of the idea. I get the same error even when trying to use the same workflow to change a non custom field of Ideas. What does it mean "some of the set fields aren't available". 

Thank you!

[Bill Sheboy]

Which user is the rule actor in the details at the top: the default of Automation for Jira, or someone else?

I believe to change a JPD field, the actor must have JPD Idea update permissions (e.g., a creator).  Please try changing the actor to yourself (as you have sufficient permissions) and re-test.

[Lamija Pasalic]

that made it. thank you!!!!!!!!!

[Jet]

Hi,

Hope that one of these solutions works for you. If not, I recommend to raise a support ticket via support.atlassian.com.

Kind regards,

Jet

[Bill Sheboy]

Hi @Jet 

I notice for multiple questions, you are accepting solutions (including your generic post above) rather than letting the original poster interact with the community.  Indeed, their question was only posted yesterday!  Please allow the original poster to respond to decide if their question has been answered.

Kind regards,
Bill

[Yogesh Mude]

@Jet Will you please shre wha is the answer that you have posted and that would helpful for another as well.

[Yogesh Mude]

@Lamija Pasalic Welcome to the Community!

As both Project start and target are date fields so i thnk you need to use CompateTo function to compare the dates in between these two fields and it will return the number, which you can set to the Duration field.

https://confluence.atlassian.com/automation/jira-smart-values-date-and-time-993924864.html

[Lamija Pasalic]

no, that doesn't help. even if i set the duration field manually to some number (the field is of type number) I get the same error message.