Embedded Files
Jira Query Language (JQL) is the most powerful and flexible way to search for issues in Jira. It's essentially a SQL-like language designed specifically for querying Jira's issue database.
Here is a quick guide to using JQL and its most basic syntax.
JQL: A Quick Guide
JQL: A Quick Guide
JQL is used in Jira's Advanced Search (which is usually the "Switch to JQL" button on the basic search page) and to power filters for boards, reports, and dashboards. The basic purpose of JQL is to build a precise search query to return only the issues you need.
The Basic JQL Syntax
The Basic JQL Syntax
A JQL query consists of up to three basic parts, always arranged in the following order:
1. Simple Equality (=) and Inequality (!=)
1. Simple Equality (=) and Inequality (!=)
Use the equals sign to find issues where a field is a specific value, and != for when it is not that value.
2. Lists of Values (IN) and (NOT IN)
2. Lists of Values (IN) and (NOT IN)
Use the IN operator to search for issues where a field is one of several specified values.
3. Text Searching (~)
3. Text Searching (~)
The "contains" operator (~) is used to perform a full-text search in text-based fields like Summary or Description.
4. Comparison Operators (>, <, >=, <=)
4. Comparison Operators (>, <, >=, <=)
These are commonly used with fields like Priority, Dates, or Time Tracking values.
5. Combining Clauses (AND, OR)
5. Combining Clauses (AND, OR)
You combine multiple criteria using the logical operators AND and OR.
Quick Tip: Ordering Results
Quick Tip: Ordering Results
You can add an ORDER BY clause to the end of any query to sort the results.
ORDER BY created DESC (Newest issues first)
ORDER BY priority ASC, updated DESC (Highest priority first, then newest updates first)
For example, a complete query might look like: project = CLOUD AND priority IN (Highest, High) AND status != Done ORDER BY priority DESC
Report abuse