Automation to add a value in a custom field (multiple choises) without replacing existing values

[Maria Savignano]

I am creating an automation so that when a task is created in a software project, if that task is linked to an Epic and Initiative, it adds a value in a custom field included in the Epic and Initiative. This field accepts multiple values, however, the automation replaces all values with the one I asked it to add.

How can I make it so that it doesn't replace it but adds the value instead?"

[Bhanu KN · Accepted solution]

Hi @Maria Savignano

Hope you are doing well. 

You can use JSON to append the values instead of the Set option

In the Edit action,> More options> Add Json as shown under Additional Fields: 

{
"update": {
"customfield_10279": [{
"add": { "value": "Option 3" }
}]
}
}

Replace 10279 with your custom field ID; you can find it in URL while editing the custom field, other ways are listed here.

and Option 3 with your option value.

Hope this helps :)

Regards,

Bhanu

[Maria Savignano]

Hello Bhanu

Yes it worked! Thank you so much for your help. 

Regards,

Maria Grazia Savignano

[Maria Savignano]

Hi @Bhanu KN 

Can you help me again? I'm creating a new, slightly more complex automation. I need the automation to add a value, but I won't be able to specify the exact value the automation needs to add.

I added the following JSON:

{
"update": {
"customfield_10258": [
{
"add": {
"value": "{{issue.fields.customfield_10258.value}}"
}
}
]
}
}

But the automation fail to add the value. Am I adding the wrong JSON?

Basically, I need it to add the value of customfield_10258 from the Epic to the same field in the Initiative. The problem is that sometimes the value is already there or (since the field is multi-select) some of the options already appear in the Initiative. Therefore, I need it to add only the missing value.