Import checklist into Jira issues from CSV

Owned by Alina Kachan
Last updated: Nov 14, 2023 by Oleksandra Kravets
3 min read

This article explains how to import checklists into Jira and update existing Jira Issues.

This option is available for Jira Admins only, as it requires access to System settings. That's the way to get the Issue Key field mapped during the importing process

Introduction

Importing checklists via CSV is available due to custom fields "Checklists" and "Smart Checklist Progress" that store checklists values and progress. 

If your Smart Checklist version is lower than 5.0.0, these fields must be added to your Jira instance manually (see instructions) and must keep checklists' values. 

Find more about custom fields and Smart Checklist data storage here. 

Instructions

  1. Prepare a proper CSV file containing checklists. Either manually or by exporting from Jira

    • Learn how Export issues with checklists to CSV works

    • You can do it via the Issues Search form

  2. Clean up CSV, leave only needed columns (fields), e.g. Issue Key (for future mapping Jira issues), Summary, Checklists, Smart Checklist Progress

    1. if issues from more than 1 project are to be imported - then leave the Project column in CSV

  3. Go to System → Import and Export → External System Import → CSV

  4. Choose CSV file

  5. Map fields. 

    1. map Issue Key CSV field to Issue Key Jira field and check 'Map field value' (by that field values will be taken for updating a ticket)

    2. map Summary CSV field to Summary Jira field 

    3. map Checklists CSV field to Checklists Jira field, however,  make sure to leave the 'Map field value' checkbox empty! Otherwise, checklist value won't be imported 

  6. Begin import

7. Once the import is finished - the "Checklists" custom field in proper Jira Issues will get updated with Checklists values from CSV