Introduction
The Adaptive Custom Fields app enables Jira administrators to create multi contexts (subcontexts) for one project and allows the delegation of options management. An AI sorting algorithm, rich user interface with emoticons and colors, along with an options description will help your Jira users to select the right options faster.
Using Adaptive Custom Fields instead of native fields can give you the following advantages
- Fewer duplicate custom fields thanks to multi contexts for one project
- Less time needed to spend on custom field management. Thanks to options management delegation and a new better user interface for Jira Administrators
- Better data consistency thanks to the fact that options are shared between contexts and you don’t have to duplicate custom fields
- Improved data quality thanks to the single and multi-select options, and a richly redesigned user interface that can handle 100+ options easily
When in particular you should use Adaptive Custom Fields
- When you need different field configurations for the same project. For example a different list of options in different issue types but in the same project (like options A and B in bugs from project A and options C and D in tasks also form project A)
- When you spend too much time on options management and you want to delegate it to project admins
- When your users struggle to select the right options and you face inconsistent data in your custom fields
Main features
For Jira administrators
Subcontexts let you define multi contexts for the same project
Jira allows only one Context per project. Without Adaptive Custom Fields you can’t have multiple different contexts/configurations for one project. To change this, we have created subcontexts. Thanks to these, it is now possible to have more than one field subcontext/configuration for the same project. For example a different set of options for different issue types in the same project. In the example above, Bugs in the NOD project have a different set of options from Stories in the same NOD project.
Use the Create Subcontext dialog to quickly define a Subcontext with options and description. Contexts are defined for issue type(s) and project(s). A Subcontext can be defined for a subset of the context’s projects and issue types. This way, you gain an additional level of configuration without losing control while still leveraging Jira’s native features.
Automatic options sorting
You don’t need to manually define the order of options. ACF ships with an algorithm that will do it for you. Based on the frequency and a few other parameters, it will automatically find the best options order for every subcontext. Depending on the field usage, the algorithm may need a few days to warm up and gather enough data to work precisely. To use it change sorting to AI on the Subcontexts page.
More about subcontext
ACF creates a default subcontext automatically when the field is created. Initially, its scope matches the Jira Context scope. A default subcontext defines how the field behaves for projects and issue types not used in other subcontexts. ACF fields are visible in the whole Jira context, subcontexts define how the ACF fields work.
Jira has two types of context: a global, defined context for all projects and a normal context for one or more projects. A normal context overwrites the global context, and the same rule applies to the ACF app. A normal context subcontext overwrites the global context subcontext. For example, in the following scenario:
- let's imagine that there is field:FieldA with options (optionA, optionB, optionC, optionD) and two contexts
- Jira global context (all projects, all issue types) with ACF subcontext A (all projects, issue type A, B, C options: optionA, optionB)
- Jira context (project A,B, any issue type) with ACF subcontext B (project A, issue type A, options: optionC, optionD)
In project A, issue type A field A will have options C and D. Subcontext B will overwrite subcontext A.
A centralized list of options shared in many contexts
In Jira, every field’s context has its list of options. In Adaptive Custom Fields, the option definitions (name, color, icon) are global. You can decide in which context the given option is visible. This makes options management easier and helps to keep options in order. You can do bulk operations such as adding, removing, or updating options from many subcontexts on one page in just a few clicks.
When adding an option you can define its value, subcontexts in which the option will be visible, background or border, color, and icon. When an option is created, you can additionally add a description and disable an option.
Options CSV import export
Thanks to CSV import and export you can easily move your options from and to the Adaptive Custom Fields app. This is an example of an exported CSV. You can use it in custom fields migration.
Options management delegation
You can delegate Adaptive Fields Management to project administrators. Project administrators can add/edit/delete their own projects’ subcontext(s). Project administrators can create new options, assign options to their own projects’ subcontexts. Project administrators can edit options if they are used only in their projects. Jira Administrators control the Jira contexts, you keep full control and can decide who can edit what. Please note that Free Jira edition does not support project permissions, you can’t delegate options management in Jira free edition.
For users
A new easier to use user interface designed for 100+ options
The new UX allows users to select the right options faster. Smart sorting keeps the most needed options at the top of the list. The option's description is available on mouse hover.
Simplified view with options description
When the user filters options, the view adjusts to the number of available options, and the simplified view shows every option's description inline.
How it works
🔒 The app uses Forge platform, all data is stored in the Atlassian infrastructure, the app doesn’t exchange any data with the external world. We provide enterprise-level support and a transparent privacy policy.
The app
uses Forge custom field type
and string
data type, each Adaptive field works like a regular Jira custom field with an array of strings. Jira
features supported for String custom fields are supported for the Adaptive Custom Fields. Currently, we support multi-
and single-select adaptive fields in company-managed projects on Jira Cloud.
Limitations and known issues
Known issues
Forge platform limitations
- Bug FRGE-581, Admin page UI is truncated after app installation ( to work around this problem simply reload the page)
- Team-managed projects are not supported
- Jira Service Management projects are not supported
- Setting default values is not supported due to FRGE-604 (you can AI options sorting instead)
- On create issue view Forge does not provide enough data to display the field descriptions correctly due to FRGE-591
- Forge custom fields UI is supported by Jira on issue view and create issue view on other views Jira renders native Jira UI components (options validation works fine)
Tutorials
- Your first Adaptive multi-select field - Customers
- Different options for different issue types but in the same project
Support
Bugs, questions and feature proposals can be submitted on our support portal or by sending an email to support@nodical.co.
FAQ
The Adaptive Custom Field is not visible, why?
Like any other Jira Custom Fields, the Adaptive Custom Fields visibility is controlled by context, screens, and layouts. The good news is that for Admins, Jira provides the Where is my field feature. This will display information about where you can find the field or why the field isn’t displayed on the issue. ACF controls field configuration in the given context and subcontexts, for example showing options assigned to a given subcontext.
Why is the option not visible?
The ACF subcontext defines how a field works on the specific issue type in a given project. To show an option in a given subcontext, navigate to matching context, find the appropriate subcontext, and add an option to the options list in the options column. Please note that subcontexts from the Default/Global context can be overwritten by other contexts which may impact which options are visible to the user.
How can I share feedback or ask a question?
You can suggest a new feature, improvement and ask any question via our support portal. If you want to help us more and win an amazon voucher, please fill in the feedback form ; every third person will receive a 50$ voucher.