How to import Jira data like a pro: Best practices

Conducting efficient data management practices and strategies is essential for success, and this applies to any activity. Jira administrators who want to maintain accurate instances or perform specific tasks, such as migrating between different instances, conducting audits, or creating reports outside Jira, should follow these proceedings. In this blog post, we will explain the different ways to import Jira data back to Jira and which steps you should consider.

Importing Jira data into the tool is a crucial step for different uses, as with any procedure, these data imports require careful preparation, structured execution, and a clear understanding of the best practices surrounding the activity. If you are still looking for further information on why data imports matter, how to approach them effectively, and what strategic benefit they bring to your organization, we suggest keeping reading:

Why, how, and what are the benefits of importing Jira data back?

As a Jira administrator, we bet you often find yourself at the crossroads of data management. Importing data back into Jira is a great opportunity to preserve critical information and use it for different purposes, and this journey begins long before the data is imported.

Understanding why data is being exported and aligning it with your organization’s goals is the first step to this process.

For example, imagine you need to import data to a new Jira instance to help a new peer manage projects there for a different business unit, but the information on the previous instance is packed with data containing critical data for their operations with insights and historical context.
Once understand the goal, and aim for a smooth transition, the second step would be to export the data to structured formats of convenience such as CSV or Excel files, depending on the different ways you are interested in importing it back, that way, you’ll safeguard the whole process.

Learn about different ways to export issues from Jira >>

The power of exporting Jira data and importing it back!

Exporting work items from Jira is often overlooked, and it's a critical step in the process, given it allows you to assess the relevance of the data you’re working with. For this matter, you should ask yourself:

Is the data clean and consistent?
Are there duplicates or incomplete records?

The answers to these questions will help to clear the process because they will directly impact the success of the import. To this end, you can use different ways to export work items from Jira taking into consideration what Jira natively brings, so if there’s the case that you need to export more than one thousand work items, you will have at hand a useful solution available in the Atlassian Marketplace such as Exporter for Jira.

Once the needed data is exported the next phase will involve mapping and matching the data to Jira’s structure. Whether you’re importing tasks, work items, users, or project details, each part should align with Jira’s schema. It’s very meticulous work, ensuring the imported data is accurate and actionable.

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Steps to successfully import Jira data back

Based on your experience, the import process is rarely straightforward. Challenges like mismatched fields, duplicate records, workflows! or user permissions can complicate the process. To navigate these problems, it’s crucial to follow best practices as follows.

First of all, to ensure an accurate importing process, check Atlassian Documentation regarding this matter and follow these expert tips based on that. But first, check these required reads:

Regarding the process, these are the general steps you’ll need to go through:

Prepare Your Data
- Export your data in a structured format such as CSV, Excel, or JSON.
- Clean up any inconsistencies and ensure all required fields (e.g., Summary) are included.
Select the right import method
- CSV Import Wizard: Best for straightforward data like tasks and user details.
- JSON Import: Ideal for complex data structures, including parent-child relationships and custom fields.
- Direct tool integrations: Simplify imports from tools like Asana or Monday.
Map fields accurately
- Match columns in your source file to Jira fields (e.g., map "Description" to “Issue Description”).
- Create custom fields in Jira if necessary.
Run a test import
- Start with a small sample to identify potential errors before importing the full dataset.

Why importing Jira data is important for the business?

Data imports are not just about moving data around, it's done because they have a reason behind them; they’re about enabling growth. Picture a scenario where your organization is migrating from Jira Data Center to Jira Cloud. The migration isn’t just a technical upgrade; it’s a strategic move to leverage cloud-based capabilities from the Atlassian platform and the System of Work, improving scalability, bringing features not available for Data Center, and carefully exporting and importing data will guarantee that no valuable information will be lost in the process.

Another example could be when bringing together two teams that previously worked separately: By consolidating their data into Jira, you’ll create a single source of truth that enhances visibility and accelerates decision-making.

Importing Jira data the right way is more than just a technical task; it’s strategic. It empowers teams with historical data. Centralizing data enhances reporting capabilities, allowing stakeholders to make data-driven decisions and rely on previous valid data.

The role of unlocking these benefits is pivotal. By approaching data imports with a strategic mindset, you’re not just managing tools—you’re driving organizational success.

A holistic approach to importing data to Jira

Ultimately, the key to successful data imports lies in preparation and previous steps, such as strategizing, exporting, validating information, and aligning it with Jira’s structure, having the right solutions to export data such as Exporter for Jira is essential. By understanding the broader impact of these actions, you can provide expert guidance that drives long-term value for your organization.

So the next time you’re tasked with importing data into Jira, remember: it’s not just about moving data. It’s about creating growth opportunities, enabling better decision-making, and ensuring that your teams have the tools they need to succeed.