The short answer
Search for the tickets you want, open the More actions (•••) menu above the results, choose Export, and pick a CSV option: current fields for the columns you see, or all fields for everything. Open the downloaded file in Excel or another spreadsheet app.
The export contains exactly what your search returns, so most of the work is getting the search right first.
Step 1: Search for the right tickets
- From any page, select Filters > Search work items.
- Narrow the search to the tickets you need: a space, a status, an assignee, a sprint. If your team has a saved filter for this list, open that instead.
- Check the count of results. That is how many rows your spreadsheet will have.
If the list on screen is wrong, the spreadsheet will be too. Fix the search before you export.
Step 2: Choose your columns
The "current fields" option exports the fields shown as columns in your search results. Add the ones you need, such as Status, Assignee, Priority or Created, and remove the rest. Fewer columns make a spreadsheet that is easier to read, and Atlassian notes that exporting all fields can noticeably slow the export and create large files.
Step 3: Export
- Select More actions (•••).
- Choose Export.
- Pick a format (see the table below).
- Open the file when it has downloaded.
| Option | Use it for |
|---|---|
| Excel CSV (current fields) | The columns you chose on screen |
| Excel CSV (all fields) | Every field, including comments |
| Excel CSV (filter fields) | The columns saved with a filter |
| Open in Google Sheets | Straight into a sheet |
| Export Word | A readable document |
| Print list or Print details | Paper or PDF |
Atlassian's export help lists these options under Export, plus XML for technical uses; Google Sheets is an icon above the results. With "all fields", each comment gets its own Comment column, in chronological order. For Word exports, Atlassian recommends around 150 work items at a time.
Limits and problems
More than 10,000 tickets
Atlassian's help says the CSV export supports up to 10,000 work items at once. For more, split the search into smaller batches, each under 10,000, export each one and merge the files. Splitting by created date is the option Atlassian suggests as the most flexible. Check that the batch totals add up to your full search, so nothing is missed or counted twice.
Garbled characters
Jira exports CSV files in UTF-8. Atlassian notes that older versions of Excel may read them as ANSI instead, which garbles characters such as accented letters or currency symbols. If that happens, open the file in a program that supports UTF-8, or use a current spreadsheet app.
Attachments
The CSV does not contain the attachment files themselves. Atlassian's help notes that Jira Cloud does not natively support bulk downloads of attachment files; you can export attachment links in the CSV instead.
Atlassian's export help also warns that a CSV file may run macros when you upload it to a spreadsheet app, which can be a security risk. If your company is strict about this, use the built-in Google Sheets option or ask IT which route they prefer.
Tips for a spreadsheet people can use
- Export the summary and the key together. The key lets anyone find the ticket again; the summary says what it is.
- Add a status and an assignee. Those two columns answer most questions in a status meeting.
- Save the search as a filter if you export the same list every week, so next time it is two clicks.
- Remember it is a snapshot. The spreadsheet does not update when the tickets do. For a live view, share the filter or the board instead.
Practise finding the right tickets
A good export starts with a good search. Agile Board Practice has a lesson on finding anything, where you search by key and by word on a practice board, and workplace tasks where you track down the ticket a colleague asks about, with feedback on each step.
Frequently asked questions
How do I export Jira to Excel?
Search for the work items under Filters, Search work items, then select More actions, Export, and an Excel CSV option. Open the downloaded CSV file in Excel.
What is the difference between all fields and current fields?
Current fields exports the columns you see in the list view. All fields exports every field, including comments, and can be slow and produce a large file.
How many tickets can I export from Jira?
Atlassian's help says CSV export supports up to 10,000 work items at once. Split larger searches into batches, for example by created date, and merge the files.
Why does my Jira export show strange characters in Excel?
Jira exports CSV in UTF-8, and older versions of Excel may read it as ANSI. Open it in a program that supports UTF-8 or a current spreadsheet app.
Can I export Jira tickets to Google Sheets?
Yes. Atlassian's export help describes an Open in Google Sheets option above the search results, which asks you to sign in and authorise access.