How to append fields from a sub-task to the parent on workflow transition

[Dave F]

Hi,

I'd like to copy a field from the sub-task to the parent when the sub-task is transitioned to Done and update/append the parent. The field I want to bring across is an Apwide field (Field type "Environments"). To the user the field displays an abbreviated environment name(s), e.g. ENV5, ENV16

• In the sub-task the field is called "Please deploy to"
• In the parent the field is called "Deployed to"

Jira automation runs when the sub-task is created and pulls several bits of data from the Parent to the sub-task. When the sub-task is closed however, I'm having no luck updating the Environments type field data from the sub-task to the parent

What I've tried with no success:

• Workflow > Post Function > Copy Value From Other Field (JSU) > Issue Relation: issue in transition to parent > Copy field. Neither Append, nor Overwrite sends the sub-task data to the parent. This only erases any data in the target field on the Parent
• Workflow > Post Function > Copy Value From Other Field (JSU) > Issue Relation: issue in transition to parent > Copy Field Please deploy to to: Description > append with separator. Updates the description, but includes several lines of unwanted text and special characters
• Jira Automation > Trigger when the sub-task is transitioned  to Closed > Updating the Parent description field. {{triggerIssue.fields.Please deploy to.category}} produces several lines of of unwanted and special characters

What I've tried with some success, but is of no use:

• Jira Automation. Adding a comment in the sub-task. {{triggerIssue.fields.Please deploy to.category}} produces the Env names nicely, comma separated (e.g. ENV4, ENV12). Sadly a note in the sub-task doesn't help us

We have Jira server v8.1, with the Apwide plugin (for environment bookings) and Jira Automation. Ideally I'd like to use out of the box functionality, Jira Automation, or JSU if possible.

Please help. This is driving me crazy.