Configure JIRA to show only Absolute Dates instead of Relative Dates

[AgilePM]

Looking to configure our JIRA isntance to always show absolute dates (e.g. 5/22/2013) instead of Relative dates (e.g. Wednseday) when viewing issues.

I have referenced these two pages but I do not think they apply to my problem:

• https://confluence.atlassian.com/display/JIRA/Customising+the+Look+and+Feel
• https://confluence.atlassian.com/display/JIRA/__date+and+time+formats

[Kapil Bolli · Accepted solution]

Hi Agile ,

To change to Relative Dates do the below steps:

Under Look & Feel : use the Date Format: MM/dd/yy

Create a file jira-config.properties under JIRA HOME Dir.

Add Property jira.lf.date.relativize=false.

Then Restart JIRA.

-Kapil

[AgilePM]

Thanks Kapil, I also found https://jira.atlassian.com/browse/JRA-8310 based on your answer :)

[Maya S Chase]

We tried this solution, and the relative dates are still showing. We're on version 6.3.12. Is there something we're missing?

[rkbarth]

How do you do this if you're Jira is hosted by Atlassian?

[Mihamina Rakotomandimby]

@Russel , I filed a request to the support. 20Minutes and its done (from the request creation to effectiveness)

[Shell D]

Doesn't work for v7.2.3, still shows relative dates

[kyo hwang]

It works for me on v7.12.0  Thanks.

[Berkin_Atila]

Shell D, 

i think you should restart your JIRA application.

https://confluence.atlassian.com/jirakb/display-standard-dates-in-jira-server-414187622.html

[John Chan]

just followed @Kapil Bolli instructions above for jira v8.16 for AWS Linux and it works! Thanks!

[Andy]

Hello! This did not work for me in Jira 7.3.5.

It's really crucial for Service desk project, where we track hours.

Is there somebody with successfull experience on switching to absolute dates in JIRA 7?

[Edgar Hernandez Meraz]

Yes it worked for me on Jira 7.5

[hikeit]

Another option that avoids the need to create or modify jira-config.properties is to add this setting to the jira database. Here is SQL that will insert the setting into a PostgreSQL DB:

select max(id)+1 as id into newid from propertyentry;

insert into propertynumber (id,propertyvalue) values (newid.id,0);

insert into propertyentry (id, entity_name, entity_id, property_key, propertytype) values (newid.id,'jira.properties',1,'jira.lf.date.relativize',1);

drop table newid; 

[Alex Carr]

Results on Jira v8.5.0:

postgres=# select max(id)+1 as id into newid from propertyentry; insert into propertynumber (id,propertyvalue) values (newid.id,0); insert into propertyentry (id, entity_name, entity_id, property_key, propertytype) values (newid.id,'jira.properties',1,'jira.lf.date.relativize',1); drop table newid;
ERROR: relation "propertyentry" does not exist
LINE 1: select max(id)+1 as id into newid from propertyentry;
^
ERROR: relation "propertynumber" does not exist
LINE 1: insert into propertynumber (id,propertyvalue) values (newid....
^
ERROR: relation "propertyentry" does not exist
LINE 1: insert into propertyentry (id, entity_name, entity_id, prope...
^
ERROR: cannot execute DROP TABLE in a read-only transaction

[Tomáš Vrabec]

Tip for everyone in here: Just install free add-on Relative time converter from @MoroSystems Support 

Link: https://marketplace.atlassian.com/search?query=relative+time+converter

[Damien]

Hi @Tomáš Vrabec ,

I've tried your app, and unfortunately had to de-install it as it only corrects the date format for issues comments & history.

Since I'm using Xray to print out traceability reports to our customers, I still need to provide an information that gives better information than "yesterday" or "4 days ago". If you're involved in MoroSystems, please feel free to provide a solution that replaces the workaround quoted above, with jira.lf.date.relativize parameter value update.

Unfortunately, this workaround does not work anymore for very recent JIRA server versions, as stated in JRASERVER-41506 comments. That is why I have asked Atlassian to re-open it.

Cheers.

[Tomáš Vrabec]

Hi @Damien I am not anymore involved within this solution partner, but still do have a lot friends over there.

Lets try to tag them, and hopefully someone will take care about your suggestion :-) 

Hello @MoroSystems Support could you take a look this suggestion? Relative Time converter should be maintained as its very useful and personally - its part of the architecture for every customer I am working with :-)

Have a nice day guys!

Tom

[Francisco Morgado Gonzalez]

Try this... 

Stop Jira

Modify :

<"jira installation">/WEB-INF/classes/jpm.xml

<property>
<key>jira.lf.date.relativize</key>
<default-value>true</default-value> <<<< Put to "false"
<type>boolean</type>
<requires-restart>false</requires-restart>
<admin-editable>false</admin-editable>
<sysadmin-editable>false</sysadmin-editable>
</property>

Start Jira

Re-index Jira

This works for me with Jira 7.12. (Server and Data Center)

This action showing absolute dates

[Pam Weber]

@Francisco Morgado Gonzalez, per this page:  

Advanced Jira application configuration

you should NEVER update the jpm.xml file as these changes will not be migrated when you upgrade to a new version of software.  This file is for defaults only. 

This page provides instructions for turning off the relative dates and worked for me:

Disable Relative Dates in Jira Applications

As  outlined in the first response by @Kapil Bolli, make sure that you restart your Jira application after creating/updating the jira-config.properties file.

[Francisco Morgado Gonzalez]

Hi Pam,

Thanks for the clarification. I will try the instructions.

[Michael Kornatzki]

This works for me with 6.4.10

[macros]

I also tried this on 6.4 and I still see relative dates.