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How to Export Jira Issues to Excel for Stakeholder Reporting

· 6 min read
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Quick Answer

Export Jira issues to Excel or CSV for stakeholder reporting, custom analysis, and cross-project visibility. Use JQL queries to filter exactly the data you need.

What you'll learn
  1. How to use Jira's built-in export to CSV and Excel
  2. How to customize which fields are included in exports
  3. How to write JQL queries for targeted, filtered exports
  4. How to schedule automated exports for regular reporting
  5. How to build Excel reports from Jira export data

Jira's built-in reports are useful, but stakeholders often want data in Excel. Whether it is a weekly status report, a velocity trend analysis, or a custom dashboard, Excel gives you full control over how Jira data is presented.

This guide covers how to export Jira issues to Excel and CSV, from simple one-click exports to scheduled automated reports.

Why Export Jira Issues to Excel​

Jira's built-in gadgets cover common reports, but they have limitations:

Custom analysis. Excel lets you create pivot tables, charts, and formulas that Jira gadgets cannot replicate.

Stakeholder access. Not everyone has a Jira license. Excel files can be shared with anyone.

Historical tracking. Export snapshots over time to track trends outside Jira's retention window.

Cross-project reporting. Combine data from multiple Jira projects in a single spreadsheet.

Compliance. Some audits require documented reports in standard formats.

How to Export Jira Issues to Excel: Step-by-Step​

1. Use the Built-in Export Button​

The fastest way to export:

  1. Go to Issues > Search for issues
  2. Run a JQL query or use the basic search
  3. Click Export (top right of results)
  4. Choose your format:
    • Export CSV (Current Fields) — exports visible columns
    • Export CSV (All Fields) — exports every available field
    • Export Excel (All Fields) — native Excel format (XLSX)
  5. Save the file

Recommended: Use CSV format for maximum compatibility. Excel opens CSV files directly, and they are easier to work with for large datasets.

2. Customize Exported Fields​

To control which fields appear in the export:

  1. In the issue navigator, click Fields (above the results)
  2. Add or remove columns to show only what you need
  3. Click Export > Export CSV (Current Fields)
  4. The CSV contains only the fields you selected

Useful fields for stakeholder reports:

FieldWhy It Matters
SummaryIssue title
StatusCurrent workflow state
AssigneeWho is working on it
PriorityImportance ranking
Story PointsEffort estimate
SprintWhich sprint it belongs to
Fix VersionTarget release
Due DateDeadline
LabelsCustom categorization

3. Use JQL for Targeted Exports​

JQL lets you filter exactly the issues you need:

Export all open issues in a project:

project = MYPROJECT AND status != Done

Export issues completed in the last sprint:

project = MYPROJECT AND status = Done AND sprint in closedSprints()

Export issues by a specific team:

project = MYPROJECT AND assignee in membersOf("engineering-team")

Export high-priority bugs:

project = MYPROJECT AND issuetype = Bug AND priority = High

Run the query, then export the results.

4. Schedule Automated Exports​

For regular reporting, automate the export:

Option A: Jira Subscriptions

  1. Save your JQL query as a filter
  2. Go to Filters > Manage Filters
  3. Select your filter > Details > New Subscription
  4. Set frequency (daily, weekly)
  5. Add email recipients
  6. Jira emails a CSV of matching issues on schedule

Option B: REST API Script

#!/bin/bash
# Export Jira issues to CSV via API
curl -u admin:password \
  "https://your-domain.atlassian.net/rest/api/2/search?jql=project=MYPROJECT+AND+status!=Done&fields=summary,status,assignee,priority" \
  -o issues.json

# Convert JSON to CSV with jq
jq -r '.issues[] | [.key, .fields.summary, .fields.status.name, .fields.assignee.displayName, .fields.priority.name] | @csv' \
  issues.json > issues.csv

Option C: Third-Party Tools

  • Exalate — sync Jira data to Excel/Google Sheets
  • ScriptRunner — scheduled exports via Groovy scripts
  • Jira REST API + Python — full custom export pipeline

5. Build Excel Reports from Exports​

Once you have the CSV, transform it into a report:

Pivot table for sprint velocity:

  1. Import CSV into Excel
  2. Insert > PivotTable
  3. Rows: Sprint, Values: Count of Issue Key
  4. Add a chart for visual trend

Conditional formatting for status:

  1. Select the Status column
  2. Home > Conditional Formatting > Color Scale
  3. Green for Done, Yellow for In Progress, Red for To Do

Chart for priority distribution:

  1. Insert > Chart > Pie Chart
  2. Data: Count of issues by Priority
  3. Color-code: Red (High), Yellow (Medium), Green (Low)

Dashboard layout:

SectionContent
Top leftSprint velocity bar chart
Top rightStatus distribution pie chart
MiddleIssue list table with conditional formatting
BottomTrend line (created vs resolved over time)

FAQ​

What is the best way to export Jira issues to Excel?​

Use the Export button in the issue navigator. Select Export CSV (Current Fields) for a quick export, or Export Fields Customized to choose which fields to include. The CSV opens directly in Excel.

Can I export Jira issues automatically on a schedule?​

Yes. Use Jira subscriptions to email a filter's results on a schedule. Alternatively, use the Jira REST API with a script to pull issue data and save it to Excel or CSV automatically.

How do I export all fields for Jira issues?​

In the issue navigator, click Export > Export CSV (All Fields). This includes every field available on the issues. For very large exports, use the REST API to avoid timeout issues.

Can I export Jira issues to Google Sheets?​

Export to CSV from Jira, then import the CSV into Google Sheets. For live data, use the Jira REST API with a Google Sheets script to pull issues directly into a spreadsheet.

How do I export Jira issues with custom fields?​

Custom fields appear in the export if they are visible on the issue screen. Use Export Fields Customized to select specific custom fields, or Export CSV (All Fields) to include everything.

Try Simple Bulk Issues Excel CSV Export for Jira

Export filtered Jira issues to Excel (XLS/XLSX) or CSV with custom fields and JQL — free for up to 10 users.

Get it on the Atlassian Marketplace →

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