Custom Field Description

[Lan Anh]

As I understand, are 2 places in which Field Description can be entered in order for this information to appear as help/text in Create screen

1) Issue> Field>Custom Field>Description 

2) Issue> Field >Field Configurations> Description

According to Atlassian's document, the description in Field Configurations will overwrite whatever in CustomField>description. I don't understand why the description in Field Configuration value keeps taking it from what I put in Custom Field>description for **some** fields. I can't seem to be able to delete it!

Help please!

[Joseph Chung Yin]

@Lan Anh -

Welcome to the community.  Here is how it works -

Example -

You created a new custom field and you enter a description of "Hello Jira" as a part of the field creation process.  This description help-text will be used as the default help-text.

So, if you added this new custom field to your project, you will see this default value.  

To override the default value, you will need to make a copy of the field configuration scheme.  In the new field configuration scheme (see image below)  Note - The configuration scheme and the Field Configuration are copied of the original scheme setup.

Once it is copied and applied to your given project, then you need to edit the Field Configuration (in this case I will edit GIAPPS Default Field Configuration), locate the custom field in the file and click on "EDIT" and then key in the new field description help-text.  By doing so, you will see the new help-text show up in the screen during your issue creation/editing operation.

Lastly, to conduct the above actions, you will need Jira software system admin rights.

Hope this helps.

Best, Joseph Chung Yin

Jira/JSM Functional Lead, Global Infrastructure Applications Team

Viasat Inc.

[Lan Anh]

Thanks Joseph for the quick answer.

But my goal is to have Jira *not* to over-write the default value. The reason for this is because my Jira needs to be bi-lingual and the option for languages is only available for values defined as part of the custom field description.  The issue I am seeing right now is the in-consistency. Some fields, Jira displays the default, some others it keeps display the value in Field Configuration description.  My question is why is this happening?

[Joseph Chung Yin]

@Lan Anh -

When description (if it is not added at the time of custom field creation), and it is added or changed afterward, then the updated description will not be push out to the existing field configuration scheme associated to your project(s).

However, if you don't want the description to be over written, then I would recommend you to have one common field configuration scheme (i.e. out of the box one) for all of your projects.  Using this process, then you can just update the common scheme to implement all of your descriptions updates.

Hope this makes sense.

Best, Joseph

[Lan Anh]

Thanks Joseph for your input! It is much appreciated. Unfortunately our system is multi-tenants so I'll have to find another solution.  

Bests,

Lan Anh

[Joseph Chung Yin]

OK. What do you mean by "multi-tenants"? 

Lastly, if you find my suggestion helped your ask, please click on "Accept answer" button when you can.

Best, Joseph

[Lan Anh]

I can't have one common field configuration scheme as there are more than one customers/projects are being supported on my system. Changes must not affect more than one project.

[Joseph Chung Yin]

@Lan Anh -

In this case, you can create multiple fields configuration schemes (one for each project), so you can edit the help-text (description) and the changes will not impact the other projects.

Best, Joseph

[Lan Anh]

Unfortunately, the Translate function is not available for Description under Field configurations.  Translate is only available under Custom fields. My end goal is to have Jira operates in another language.

Thanks for your suggestion.

[Joseph Chung Yin]

@Lan Anh -

Take a look at this third party add-on - https://marketplace.atlassian.com/apps/1217749/translate-field-options-for-jira?tab=overview&hosting=datacenter

If you still find my assistance helped you, please click on Accept Answer when you have a chance.

Best, Joseph