Variables & Forms

Variables & Forms is a powerful feature. It may drastically simplify working with the templates and adding necessary information on the go.

Here you can find information about variable usage in your Jira issue templates.

ℹ️ Introduction

What is a Variable

A variable is a specific container whose value can be defined during the Jira issue creation from the saved Template.

What is a Form

A "Form" is a structured interface where users can input values for predefined variables during the creation of a Jira issue from a saved template. The form facilitates the process by presenting fields for each variable, guiding the user to enter the necessary information in an organized manner. This ensures that all required data is collected before proceeding with the issue creation.

A form is present on the second step of the issue creation (or applying) from the template process when there’s a variable present.

Available variable types

Variable properties

You can add a description to every variable. It may serve as additional instruction to the user on filling in a particular variable while Jira issue creation.

It is also possible to define if the variable is optional or required. The required variable field name will be rendered with the red sign “*” on the Variables form and won’t let the user proceed to the next step until the variable value is filled

✅ How to create a Variable

• Navigate to the Template

• Click “Form & Variables” menu item

• Click “Add Variable” and choose the Variable type you want

  

  
  

  
  

  
  

• Fill Label and Description, add the Default value, and choose if you want it to be Required

  

  
  

• Click Create. A new variable will appear in the list 🎉

  

  
  

  
  

• You can Preview the variable on the form and then add it to the issues in the template

👓 How to preview a variable

To see a form appearance and how variable field will be rendered and shown to the user while a new Jira issue is created from the template:

• Navigate to the Template

• Click “Form & Variables” menu item

• Click “Form Preview” tab

  

How to add a variable to the template’s field

To request the variable filling from the user on the form while issue creation, and to put filled values in the created Jira issue, the variable must be added to a template’s (custom) field.

Supported Jira field types for variables

Variables can now be inserted not only into text fields, but also into supported Jira fields using Ask on form. When a field is marked as Ask on form, users provide the value during issue creation from the template, and the selected value is applied to the created Jira issue.

• Navigate to the Template

• Click on the issue from the issues list

• Click the field to enter edit mode

• VAR - the icon will appear on the top-right corner of the field

  

• click and choose the variable you want to insert

  

  
  

• submit changes by clicking on “V” button to save the inserted field variable

  

  
  

  
  

Alternatively, type a variable label in the format, like <<Employee Name>>, and save changes.

Note, the variable needs to be created via “Form & Variables” page, otherwise you’ll get an error that “Variable is not defined” while saving changes

In multiline text fields, you can add variables using shortcuts by typing /var..

Click “Enter” and choose a variable from the list

↕️ How to sort variable

By default, variables will be shown in their creation order on the form.

To reorder variables and arrange them per your needs:

• Navigate to the Template

• Click “Form & Variables” menu item

  

• Tap on a variable name

• Drag up/down and drop in the position you need

• Feel free to check if it’s organized properly via “Form Preview”

❎ How to remove a variable

To remove variables from the template:

• Navigate to the Template

• Click “Form & Variables” menu item

• Find the variable, click “…” menu

• Click delete

• After confirmation, the variable will be removed from the template

📋 How to adjust variable

To adjust the variable’s properties:

• Navigate to the Template

• Click “Form & Variables” menu item

• Click variable name or click “…” menu → Edit

  

  
  

• Here you can change variable labels and main properties

🧩 How to fill Variable and Create Jira issue

1. Navigate to Apps → Templates, or use the left sidebar “Templates” link

2. Template selection dialog would appear

   

   
   

3. Choose the relevant template, click next, and fill in the variable data

   

4. Click “Create”

   

   
   

5. All variables would be populated with the entered values in parent and child issues 🎉

   

✅ How to use Ask on form for Jira fields

Ask on form lets you request a Jira field value from the user while an issue is being created from a template. This is useful when the value should be selected at creation time instead of being fixed in the template.

1. Navigate to the Template.

2. Open the issue where you want to request a field value.

3. Find the supported Jira field and enable Ask on form.

4. Save the changes.

5. When a user creates an issue from the template, the field will appear on the form and the entered value will be applied to the created issue.
   

   

🔗 How to inherit values from parent

Inherit from parent lets a child issue take a field value from the same field in its parent issue. Use it when child issues should keep the same value as the parent without asking users to enter it again.

1. Navigate to the Template.

2. Open the child issue where you want to inherit a field value.

3. Open the field settings and choose Inherit from parent instead of a fixed value, variable, expression, or Ask on form.

4. Save the changes.

How it works

• The child gets the parent’s final value after variables, Ask on form values, or expressions are resolved.

• It works when the parent issue is created from the same template and when the parent already exists in Jira.

• It can work across several levels, for example, Epic → Story → Sub-task.

Example: set Ask on form for the Epic’s Due date, then set Inherit from parent for the Story and Sub-task Due date fields. Users enter the date once, and the same date is applied to all levels.

❔ FAQ

Can I use variables within such fields as components, labels, or Teams?

Yes. In addition to single-line and multiline text fields, supported Jira field types can be requested during issue creation using Ask on form. Unsupported field types will be added gradually.

What is the difference between Ask on form and Inherit from parent?

Ask on form asks the user to provide a value during issue creation. Inherit from parent copies the value from the parent issue. You can use them together: ask once on the parent and let child issues inherit the value.