Will data be retained when reconfiguring a single selection field to a multi-selection field?

[Steve Hooczko]

Will data be retained when reconfiguring a single selection field to a multi-selection field?

I would like to reconfigure a field with a single selection drop-down to a multi selection field, where several selections from a drop-down list can be made.

When reconfiguring, will the single selection data already in the tickets be carried over to the reconfigured field? I.E., appear as a selection in the multi-selection? For example:

SINGLE SELECTION DATA = 1

RE-CONFIGURED FIELD TO MULIT-SELECTION = 1  (can then add more selections)

[Mikael Sandberg]

Once a field has been created you cannot change the field type, so you would have to create a new field.

[John Funk]

Hi Steve,

There is no way to convert a custom field type. You have to create a brand new field and then you can copy the data from the original field to the new field using an automation rule. 

[Steve Hooczko]

What would the automation rule be?

Will the rule copy the old data for all tickets in the project to the new field? 

[John Funk]

Sure, here is an example. When you create the Scheduled trigger, put in a JQL query like Project = ABC for the project that you are updating.