Count comments that match text

[Randy Simes]

I'm trying to get a count of the comments that match specific text using a lookup. My attempts have gotten me either the total number of comments or 0/blank.

{{#lookupIssues}} - {{key}}: {{#=}} {{#comments}} {{#if(equals(body.match("<Match text>").size, 1))}} 1 {{/}} {{/}} {{/}} times {{/lookupIssues}}

I'd like to get this into a single email report that shows the key and the number of comments that match. 

Key 1 - 5
Key 2 - 1
Key 3 - 2

The lookupIssues matches on this comment so the result should never be 0.

[Bill Sheboy · Accepted solution]

Hi @Randy Simes 

First, the match() function could have problems with any embedded line breaks / newlines on the match.  To address that you may use replace("\n", " ") before the match() call.

Next, as you only want a count, the iteration over comments and math expression are not needed, as the match() will produce a list that can be counted with size.

Putting those together, please try this:

{{#lookupIssues}}
{{key}} -- {{comments.body.replace("\n"," ").match(".*(match text).*").size|0}}
{{/}}

If your text includes reserved characters, you may need to add escaping.  Please see the documentation for the match() functions use of regular expressions to learn more: https://support.atlassian.com/cloud-automation/docs/jira-smart-values-text-fields/#match--

This should produce a count of 1 for each matching comment.  If instead you want the total number of matches, including multiple per comment, the expression approach must be changed.

Kind regards,
Bill

[Randy Simes]

That worked (had to add one { before comments). I was missing the trailing information with .* - thanks Bill!

[Bill Sheboy]

Thanks, and I fixed my post. 

I should have tested that one and not just typed it in  :^)

[Kunal Kumar]

Hey @Bill

I have a requirement where i want to count the total number of comments which contain a certain expression and publish the result into a field in JIRA. Can you please help me with the match() construct for the same. 

[Bill Sheboy]

Hi @Kunal Kumar 

First, this is a very old thread, and so it helps to create a new question.  That ensures the maximum number of people see it to offer suggestions...rather than trying to add to the old thread.

I found your new question, adding some suggestions here:

https://community.atlassian.com/t5/Jira-questions/Count-all-the-comments-on-a-story-that-have-a-matching/qaq-p/2938739

Kind regards,
Bill