Apart from the type of searches explained in the previous chapter, JIRA also has a few advanced search options, which can be performed using the following three ways.
- Using Field Reference
- Using Keyword Reference
- Using Operators Reference
These above-mentioned three ways have been explained in detail below.
The user should consider the following points while performing any advanced search.
- Advanced search uses structured queries to search for JIRA issues.
- Search results displays in the Issue Navigator.
- Search results can be exported to MS Excel and many other available formats.
- Save and Subscribe features are available to advanced searches.
- An advanced search uses the JIRA Query Language known as JQL.
- A simple query in JQL consists of a field, operator, followed by one or more values or functions. For example, the following simple query will find all issues in the “WFT” project β
Project = "WFT"
- JQL supports SQL like syntax such as ORDER BY, GROUP BY, ISNULL() functions, but JQL is not a Database Query Language.
Using Field Reference
A field reference means a word that represents the field name in the JIRA issue including the custom fields. The syntax is β
<field name> <operators like =,>, <> βvaluesβ or βfunctionsβ
The operator compares the value of the field with value presents at right side such that only true results are retrieved by query.
- Go to Issues β Search for Issues in the navigator bar.
The following screenshot shows how to navigate the Search section.
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If there is an existing search criterion, click on the New Filter button to reset the criteria. The following screenshot shows how to start with a new criteria β
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Type the query using the Field, Operator and Values like issueKey = βWFT-107β.
There are other fields as well β Affected Version, Assignee, Attachments, Category, Comment, Component, Created, Creator, Description, Due, Environment, etc. As soon as the user starts typing, the auto-complete functionality helps to write in the defined format.
The following screenshot shows how to add Field Name criteria using advanced features.
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Operator selection β The following screenshot shows how to select operators.
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The next step is to enter the value and then click on the Search symbol. The following screenshot shows how to add values and search.
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The following screenshot shows the search result based on criteria set.
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Using Keyword Reference
Here, we will understand how to use a keyword reference and what its advantages are
A keyword in JQL β
- joins two or more queries together to form a complex JQL query.
- alters the logic of one or more queries.
- alters the logic of operators.
- has an explicit definition in a JQL query.
- performs a specific function that defines the results of a JQL query.
List of Keywords β
- AND β ex – status = open AND priority = urgent And assignee = Ashish.
- OR β ex β duedate < now() or duedate is empty.
- NOT β ex β not assignee = Ashish .
- EMPTY β ex – affectedVersion is empty / affectedVersion = empty.
- NULL β ex β assignee is null.
- ORDER BY β ex β duedate = empty order by created, priority desc.
Similar to field reference, as soon as the user starts typing, the auto-complete functionality helps to get the correct syntax. The following screenshot shows how to add keywords.
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Click on the Search symbol and it will provide the search results. The following screenshot shows the result based on a criteria set.
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Using Operators Reference
Operators are used to compare values of the left side with the right side, such that only true results display as the search result.
List of Operators
- Equals: =
- Not Equals: !=
- Greater Than: >
- Less Than: <
- Greater Than Equals: =>
- Less than equals: =<
- IN
- NOT IN
- CONTAINS: ~
- Does Not contain: ! ~
- IS
- IS NOT
- WAS
- WAS IN
- WAS NOT IN
- WAS NOT
- CHANGED
Similar to the Field and the Keyword Reference, these operators can also be used to enhance the search results.