How to update field type?

[Yohann ROY]

I want to update the field type of an existing field in my project but when I go in "Project settings" > "Field" > Choose an existing field > "Edit field" > I can only update "Name" and "Description".
How can I update the field type without creating a new one?

[Trudy Claspill · Accepted solution]

Hello @Yohann ROY 

Welcome to the Atlassian community.

You cannot change the type of a Field after you create it. You have to create a new field. If you want to retain the original data then you have to copy it to the new field.

[Hannes Obweger - JXL for Jira · Accepted solution]

Hi @Yohann ROY,

welcome to the community!

As already suggested, unfortunately you can't change the type of a custom field. You'll have to create a new one, and copy over the values.

For copying over the values, I've seen people doing this via a CSV export/import, as well as via Automation rules; kindly see this related thread for reference.

Alternatively, if you're open to solutions from the Atlassian Marketplace, you'll have more options. I'll add more information below.

Hope this helps,

Best,

Hannes

[Hannes Obweger - JXL for Jira]

... and to expand on my previous point: If you're open to solutions from the Atlassian Marketplace, you may want to have a look at the app that my team and I are working on: JXL for Jira.

JXL is a full-fledged spreadsheet/table view for your issues that allows viewing, inline-editing, sorting, and filtering by all your issue fields, much like you’d do in e.g. Excel or Google Sheets.

It also allows bulk editing your issue fields via copy/paste, like so:

In this case, I'm copying over the values from a number field into a newly created custom field of type single-line text. In a next step, I could delete the number field, and continue working on the text field.

This works for any number of fields and issues in one action, both within JXL and across JXL and pretty much any other app (like e.g. Excel) - so you should be done with your work in no time.

I should also add that JXL can do much more than the above: From support for configurable issue hierarchies, to issue grouping by any issue field(s), sum-ups, or conditional formatting.

Any questions just let me know!

[Gor Greyan · Accepted solution]

Hi @Yohann ROY
Welcome to the Community.

Unfortunately, in Jira, you cannot change the customfield type once it has been created.
The limitation exists because different types of custom fields store data in different formats, and changing this type can lead to data loss or corruption.

You can only change the name and description of customfield.

Thanks!