How do you manage the list of labels? Add, Remove, etc.

[Miriam Bailey]

We are using the Label field, but I cannot find where I can manage the list of options.

[Oliver Siebenmarck _Polymetis Apps_ · Accepted solution]

Hi @Miriam Bailey ,

Welcome to the Community!

Of course, the answers already given by @Rohitha Devi Pullepu , @Prachi Bolar, and @pawarsachin84 are correct – labels are just free text fields that users can fill with whatever label they want. 

However, in contrast to regular text fields, labels come with suggestions based on what labels have already been used. These suggestions come from your own usage as well as what other users on your instance have used. This can create some problems when you need to control the allowable options, say because you use those in some filters. Think misspelled labels that should mean the same thing, like log-in vs login.

Additionally,  you might just want to know which labels are in currently in use, how often do they appear and maybe even want to correct some typos or mis-labeled work items. And because these features are useful, but sadly missing in the base product, there are now a bunch of apps that allow you to manage labels.   

They all differ in some way or another, but most of them should get the job done. I am not going to suggest one app over the other, but given I work for Polymetis Apps guessing my favourite shouldn't be too hard.

Hope that helps,
 Oliver from Polymetis Apps

[pawarsachin84 · Accepted solution]

Hello @Miriam Bailey ,

Welcome to the Atlassian Community!

Jira’s built-in Labels field is open-ended and user-driven — you can’t manage a list of allowed options.
If you want control over the options users select, the best practice is to create a custom select list field instead.

Let me know your use case and I can help suggest the best field type or cleanup approach!

For more information you can refer below page.

Labels , Component or Custom Field Which one is best for your company ?

[Prachi Bolar · Accepted solution]

Hello,

Welcome to Community :) 

Labels can be created by any user.  You can use Label field from search or simply click a label to jump to the Issue Navigator and see a list of all issues with the label.

In case you want to edit rename label in bulk please check this : https://support.atlassian.com/jira/kb/edit-and-rename-labels-in-jira-cloud/

Thank You,

Prachi

[Rohitha Devi Pullepu · Accepted solution]

Hi @Miriam Bailey  

In Jira, the Labels field is a free text field — not a predefined list like custom dropdown fields — so you cannot manage or restrict the list of options. 

Thanks,
Rohitha Devi Pullepu