How to add an epic link to an existing ticket?

[Shaunty McMillin]

I've been using Jira for ten years at this point, and the most infuriating of the recent changes is that I can't find a way to add an epic to an existing ticket. The four options I'm used to using aren't working. Here's the problem I'm running into when I try each one: 

The edit screen no longer pulls up when I hit "e" on the ticket screen. 
Neither of the three dots menus allows me to pull up the edit screen. 
Trying to link issues does not give the "epic link" option.
When adding issues to an epic the only option is to create a new issue, you can't add an existing one.  

It is not uncommon for someone to create what they think is a one off request only to find that it needs to be part of an epic. Not having an easy way to add issues to epics is an absolute nonstarter, it makes jira practically unusable. What am I missing? Did I fail to set something up in permissions or something? I've spoken with other project managers who all have the same frustration. 

[Jack Brickey]

Hi Shaunty,

for sure working thru UI changes can be a challenge.

The edit screen modal disappeared awhile back when the new issue view was introduced. When you are viewing the detailed issue view you can edit fields directly. No longer do you need to deal with a separate screen.

Adding an issue to an epic only requires that you have the Epic link field in your edit screen.

[Shaunty McMillin]

Thank you Jack! How do I get to that screen?

[Jack Brickey]

If you simply click on the issue link it will open the detailed issue screen. Alternatively enter the issuekey into the search bar. 

[Trudy Claspill]

Hello @Shaunty McMillin 

Are you working with a Team Managed project or a Company Managed project?

@Jack Brickey covered the answer for when you are using a Company managed project.

If you are working with a Team Managed project, the only way to add an existing issue to an Epic is to use the Add Epic breadcrumb at the top of the Issue View for the child issue.

Team Managed projects don't use the Epic Link field, and don't allow you to directly edit the linking field to add an existing issue to an Epic.

[Shaunty McMillin]

Must be team managed projects. Most of them were migrated from Jira classic, and this type was just chosen for me. Is there a way to convert a team managed project to a company managed project? 

Because every company I've ever worked at will consider team managed projects worthless as a result of not being able to easily add existing issues to epics. That's such key functionality. 

[Trudy Claspill]

There is not a one-button solution to convert a Team Managed project to a Company Managed project, or vice versa.

Here is a link to information on migrating data between one type of project and the other. There are caveats that you need to be aware of concerning data loss for custom fields, and the inability to retain the Epic/child issue relationships during migration.

https://support.atlassian.com/jira-software-cloud/docs/migrate-between-team-managed-and-company-managed-projects/