Use as a template

Learn how to convert an issue into a template

Use as a template allows you to create a new template from an existing issue. You can also create a template from a template - in this case the feature is called Duplicate template but it works the same.

Creating a template from an issue

You can use a regular Jira issue in any project or one of your existing templates.

Steps

To create a new template from an existing issue:

1. Open the issue that should become a template.
2. Select More > Use as a template.

3. Give your template a name. Users will see it while choosing a template on the screen. (It applies only to the parent issue.)
4. Assign the template to a category (optional).

5. Choose the template’s scope. You can choose from:
   • this issue only
   • this issue with selected elements
   • the whole structure

6. Choose which parts of the structure should be included in the template. This setting is optional and will only be visible after selecting this issue with selected elements. You can select one or more of these elements:
   • stories
   • subtasks
   • issue links

7. Click Validate.

8. On the next screen, click Use as a template.

Result

The issue became a template and can be found in the Template Repository.

View the results

To view the newly created template, click the link in the flag that appears right after the process is finished. It is especially helpful if you’ve reproduced a larger structure of issues, as all the templates will be listed on the next screen:

Steps

To view a list of all the newly created templates:

1. Click Templates in the notification flag:

2. View the results:

Limitations

Please note that in case of duplicating an existing template, the second template won’t be an exact copy of the original template. Some properties, like the availability settings or variables, need to be configured separately afterwards. Below you’ll find all the information on what can be copied and what needs further configuration.

What is possible

Definining the scope

Any Jira issue can be turned into a template. You can choose to include subtasks and linked issues as well. Here are the possible scope settings:

• Only the parent issue
• Parent with stories
• Parent with subtasks
• Parent with issue links
• Parent with stories and subtasks, stories and issue links, or subtasks with issue links (you can select each type separately)
• The whole issue structure that includes stories, subtasks, and issue links

Preconfiguring the template

During the setup process you can configure the following properties of your future template:

• Template name (applies only to the parent issue)
• Template category (all templates created from the given structure will be assigned to the same category)
• Set of fields (the Set of fields of the future template will consist of all non-empty fields from the original issue)

What needs to be done next

Template configuration

Any template created using this feature needs some additional configuration to work best for you and your team. After creating the template, reopen it and you’ll be able to set up the following:

• Fields (if you’d like to change the Set of fields made up of all non-empty fields from the original issue)
• Availability
• Context
• Variables
• Create Structure post function
• … and any remaining advanced features you’d like to use

Project configuration

• Template Repository project. In order to make a template from an entire structure of issues you’ll need to add all the issue types used in your structure to your Template Repository project.
  
  Tip

  You can add issue types to the Template Repository under Project Settings > Issue types > Actions > Edit issue types:

  

• Target project. You’ll need to configure the project where your template will be used, too. Most important things to remember about are:
  • adding the Template custom field to relevant screens
  • adding the Create Structure post function to the workflow if you want to copy values from the template

Version 8.2 and older

In older Issue Templates versions there was an additional necessary step to be taken in order to enable Use as a template. If you are still using one of the older versions, you can manually enable or disable this feature under Manage apps.

Steps

To enable Use as a template:

1. Go to Administration > Manage apps.
2. Expand Issue Templates for Jira.
3. Open the modules enabled list.
4. Select Use as a template (issue-templates-issue-to-template).
5. Click Enable.

Result

Use as a template is enabled.