Are you on the right help page?

Using the classic Scrum and Kanban projects? You're in the right place!

Using a next-gen Software project as part of the new Jira Software? Check out these pages instead.

If you're unsure, check your project menu. If it has the Give feedback and Learn more menu items, you're on a next-gen Software project and this page isn't for you.


Before you begin

The functions for managing epics require different permissions. For example, you need the 'Edit Issues' permission to add an issue to an epic. Read Permissions overview for more information.

Managing epics

  1. Go to the Backlog of your Scrum project.

  2. Click EPICS on the left side of the board (aligned vertically) to open it.

    Add a new epicClick Create epic (you will need to hover over the 'EPICS' panel to show this link), enter the epic details, and create it.
    Update an epic's detailsFor the epic name, click the arrow next to the name, then choose Edit name.
    For other fields, click the arrow next to the epic's name, then choose View epic details. You can then edit the epic like any other issue.
    Change an epic's color on the boardClick the arrow next to the epic's name, then choose the color from the menu.
    Add an issue to an epicTo add an existing issue, drag and drop the issue onto the epic in the 'EPICS' panel.
    To add a new issue, click Create issue in epic (if this does not show, you need to expand the epic details in the 'EPICS' panel. Classic project issues can only be added to classic project epics, and next-gen project issues can only be added to next-gen projects epics.
    Remove an issue from an epicDrag and drop the issue onto Issues without epics in the 'EPICS' panel.
    Alternatively, view the detailed view of the issue on the board, locate the Epic field, then click the 'x' in the epic name lozenge (this method also works in the Active sprints of a board).
    Filter issues by epicClick the epic in the 'EPICS' panel to show only issues in that epic. Click All issues to remove the filter. Alternatively, click Clear all filters next to the sprint's name.
    Complete an epicClick the arrow next to the epic's name, then choose Mark as Done from the menu.
    This will set the epic's Epic Status field to "Done", but will not affect the epic's workflow or its Status field    , and n    one of the epic's issues will be affected.

Screenshot: viewing an epic in a Scrum backlog


Note that the blue horizontal bar under an epic's details (in the 'EPICS' panel) indicates progress towards completing the work estimated for the issues added to the epic. This bar only represents progress on the estimated issues in an epic.

We're gradually rolling out a new issue view, which you may see on your boards and in your backlog. The issue detail view will look a little different and some procedures will change slightly. Take a look at our info page to see what's changed and get the latest updates.

Next steps

 Need help? If you can't find the answer you need in our documentation, we have other resources available to help you. See Getting help.