Using External File Import to import a file of issues including comments, but they wont import

[Dallen Taylor]

I am using the External File Import option on the back end of Jira to import a file of issue to an existing project. The comments will not parce in no matter what I do to their formatting.

The original format I downloaded them as is
05/Dec/23 10:30 AM;User ID;This has been posted.

I have also tried updating the date format and changing the User ID to the user's name, but it still loads the comments in as if I made them.

12/21/2023 12:00:00;Employee Name;No problem

We do not need the date/time to be accurate, but we do need to be able to see who made each comment. When I had the user ID it would carry over into the comment, but when I use the employee name I get a warning that the commenter is not a known employee, but it also removes the space between the employee first and last name so maybe thats part of the issue?

[Dallen Taylor · Accepted solution]

I used the original format again of 05/Dec/23 10:30 AM;User ID;This has been posted. but it worked this time. I dont know what changed.

[Joseph Chung Yin]

@Dallen Taylor -

Welcome to the community.  It is my understanding that when one uses the External File Import (CSV), the comments in your CSV, the comments will be listed in the project as you although the original comments in your CSV file were made by someone else.

In your CSV file, you will need to change the original commenter's information manually to properly display the his/her First and Last Name.

Example -

In my CSV column for a specific issue with multiple comments those comments were captured in JSM to something like 

In our case, the identity of the original commenter was not as important while the actual comments were what the project lead/team wants to retained.

Hope this helps.

Best, Joseph Chung Yin

Jira/JSM Functional Lead, Global Technology Applications Team

Viasat Inc.