How do I edit a field type for a custom field?

[Cathy]

Hi,

I created a custom field with a field type as a multi-line text box.  However I now wish to change this t a single line text box but cant seem to be able to do this.  Please can you help?

Many thanks,

Cathy 

[Thomas Schlegel · Accepted solution]

Hi @Cathy,

changing the type of a custom field is not possible. There is a closed issue for that: 

https://jira.atlassian.com/browse/JRASERVER-19312

There's a workaround described here:

https://confluence.atlassian.com/jirakb/changing-custom-field-types-in-jira-158357.html

or if you have Scriptrunner:

https://scriptrunner.adaptavist.com/latest/jira/builtin-scripts.html#_copy_custom_field_values

But I haven't tried neither of them.

[Cathy]

Brilliant, thanks very much for your help.  I will look into these options.

Cathy :)

[Tom Lister · Accepted solution]

Hi @Cathy

There is no way via the admin pages to change a field type. 

If you haven't used the field you just delete it and recreate it.

It is possible to change the field type in the database and can work if the field types are very similar i.e. like the text boxes. You'd need to prove that in a test instance.

[Cathy]

Hi Tom,

OK thanks for your help.  Much appreciated :)

Cathy 

[Thomas Schlegel]

I would be  very  very careful, changing such things in the Jira database directly, this could result in big problems.

[Cathy]

OK thanks Thomas.