Change a field configuration

Jira admins can make certain fields required or hide them on specific transition screens using field configurations. They can also manage the descriptions that appear with each field.

Edit a field description

You can add a description to an unlocked field to further explain when that field should be used or what information should be entered. Field descriptions are usually displayed beneath their associated fields when creating or editing an issue. 

Certain fields are locked to prevent changes that will affect the core functionality of your Jira applications. 

1. Select > Issues.

2. In the Fields section, click Field configurations.

3. Click Configure next to the field configuration you wish to edit.

4. Click Edit next to the field you want to update.

5. Enter a new description and click Update.

Hide or show a field

If your team doesn't need a particular field that has been added to a shared screen, you can choose to hide that field within your field configuration. Hiding a field will ensure that it isn't populated with a default value and that it won't appear on any screens (e.g. the Create Issue screen) where your field configuration applies. Note that the Summary and Issue Type fields cannot be hidden, and that hiding the Fix Versions field will prevent you from using the Change Log report. 

1. Select > Issues.

2. In the Fields section, click Field configurations.

3. Click Configure next to the field configuration you wish to edit.

4. Find the field and click Hide to remove the field from all associated screens in this field configuration. Click Show at any time to make the field appear again.

Make a field required or optional

Depending on your team or organization's needs, you may want to make certain fields required to ensure that you're gathering the right information at the right time. Note that all required fields must be added to the Create Issue screen for associated projects and issue types, and that hidden fields cannot be marked as required.

1. Select > Issues.

2. In the Fields section, click Field configurations.

3. Click Configure next to the field configuration you wish to edit.

4. You will see “Required” next to fields that have already been marked required. Click Optional to remove this requirement. 

5. To make an optional, visible field required, simply find the field and click Required. 

Associate a field with screens

You can associate all visible fields (even locked fields) with screens to make sure the fields show up where and when you want them.

1. Select > Issues.

2. In the Fields section, click Field configurations.

3. Click Configure next to the field configuration you wish to edit.

4. Find the field and click Screens. 

5. Select or unselect the screens associated with the field and click Update.

Change a field renderer

Renderers affect the way you view a field's value and can be configured separately for a select number of fields (e.g. Description, Comment, or any custom text fields). For these fields, you can see which renderer is currently enabled in brackets beneath the field name and click Renderers next to the field to change it. Check out Configuring renderers for more information on how to use and change field renderers.