You can query issues in Jira using two primary methods: the user-friendly Basic search or the powerful text-based Advanced search (Jira Query Language or JQL).
Use Jira's search bar to type your query and hit enter. If it works, you'll see relevant results; if not, Jira will let you know where you went wrong. Pro Tip: Start simple and build your query step by step.
In Excel, open the Data tab and choose Get Data -> Legacy Wizards -> From Microsoft Query (Legacy). Choose the JIRA DSN. Select the option to use Query Wizard to create/edit queries. In the Query Wizard, expand the node for the table you would like to import into your spreadsheet.
JQL stands for JIRA Query Language (not to be confused with Java Query Language). It's the most flexible way to search for issues in JIRA and is for everyone: developers, testers, project managers, and even non-technical business users.
From your project's sidebar, select Work items. Use the text search field or built-in filters to refine your search criteria. Save the query with a browser bookmark, or share the URL with your team.
JQL vs SQL
JQL is easily accessible within Jira, while SQL requires a client with the right permissions to access the database. Plus, JQL queries always return issues, whereas SQL can return various data types.
A query can either be a request for data results from your database or for action on the data, or for both. A query can give you an answer to a simple question, perform calculations, combine data from different tables, add, change, or delete data from a database.
Visualize JQL searches on a dashboard
Jira's learning curve varies: basic usage for tracking tasks is relatively easy and intuitive, often learned in an afternoon, while becoming proficient as an administrator or mastering advanced features like custom workflows, JQL (Jira Query Language), and integrations can take weeks or months, requiring practice and deeper dives into documentation and tutorials. The key is to start simple with templates and gradually build complexity, leveraging resources from Atlassian and the community.
In Jira:
Getting data from Jira
Once the connection is successful, you can import data from Jira to Excel by using a JQL or a saved filter (only Starred Filters are supported).
No, Jira isn't going away entirely, but Atlassian is ending support for its on-premises Data Center products, forcing users to migrate to the cloud or find alternatives by March 28, 2029, when Data Center becomes read-only. The company is shifting its focus entirely to its cloud platform, promising faster innovation and AI features for cloud users, while on-premise users must plan migration to avoid disruption.
Export Jira data to a CSV file
Scroll the drop-down menu and select “CSV (All fields)” to download data into a CSV file. If you prefer working in Custom Charts for Jira Reports, you can export Jira charts and data directly from the reports page to a CSV file.
Jira is a project management tool for any team in your organization—from product to marketing and beyond—that needs to plan, organize, and track their work.
The " !~ " operator is used to search for work items where the value of the specified field is not a "fuzzy" match for the specified value.
How to search for test cases
Misconception: Jira is Only for Developers
Truth: Jira offers templates and features suitable for any business team, including marketing, HR, finance, and operations.
Two story points, for example, equate to a work that will take 2-4 hours, whereas three story points go to issues that will take 4 to 8 hours, and so on. It's a hybrid technique to task estimations that should not be used in most cases. The reason the team applies it is to make all the estimation easier for the client.
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JQL syntax is similar to SQL, but it is specific to Jira and is used within Jira's search interface. JQL can be used by both technical and non-technical users to find, analyze, and report on data within Jira.
o use Jira's built-in export feature:
A query is a question you ask Jira, such as, “How many bugs did we fix on the website this month?” or “Which issues are currently assigned to members of my team?” JQL (“Jira query language”) is the language you use to ask. It's also how to determine which issues to show in a filter, board, dashboard, or report.
There are many different types of queries, and the type you use will depend on the task you need to complete. There are action queries, select queries, parameter queries, crosstab queries, SQL queries, and more. Action queries allow you to manipulate data. You can add, change, or delete data.
If your query is too vague, your plot points lose all meaning and become inconsequential and uninteresting. Don't tell an agent about a “dark threat”— be specific! — tell them there's a soul-eating sorcerer. Or a serial killer.
Query-by-Example (QBE) is another language for querying (and, like SQL, for creating and modifying) relational data. It is different from SQL, and from most other database query languages, in having a graphical user interface that allows users to write queries by creating example tables on the screen.