Tracking and reporting on progress in Jira requires an eye for detail and the ability to sift through large volumes of data quickly and easily. Or, you can sync your Jira instance to a spreadsheet in Google Sheets or Microsoft Excel with Unito! In this guide, you’ll learn how to pull data from Jira tasks, issues, projects, epics, and stories into Microsoft Excel with automated real-time updates. In other words, your Jira data will populate the rows of your spreadsheet, while the fields (e.g., summary, assignee, description) will populate the columns.
By connecting these tools, you’ll be able to ensure that all your teams can work together, no matter which tool they prefer. No manual updates and no copy-pasting necessary.
Here’s a demo showing how this workflow can sync Jira to Excel:
Here’s more information about Unito’s Jira Excel integration, which supports Jira Software, Jira Service Management, Jira Work Management, and Jira Data Center.
There are two ways to sync Jira tasks or issues to Microsoft Excel with Unito’s 2-way integration
Embedded in your Jira projects
If you plan on doing most of your work from Jira, then you’ll want to get the Unito app for Jira from the Atlassian marketplace. It’s ideal if you prefer setting up your integration (called a flow) directly from Jira as a familiar interface.
Unito’s standalone sync platform
Unito’s standalone sync platform offers greater range of choices for customization and flow creation with additional functionality for advanced users.
Whichever option you choose, you’ll still have access to the same Unito dashboard to build flows and you can switch between them without interruption.
Setup in Jira and Microsoft Excel
Connect to Jira via OAuth2
If you’re connecting Jira to Unito via OAuth2, then there are no extra steps to sync your Excel data other than the on-screen instructions when adding your account for the first time:
If you’re connecting to Jira Cloud without OAuth2, you’ll need to set your Jira contact email visibility to anyone from your Jira profile page. Then, set up an application link in Jira so that your issues can sync to Excel.
Here’s how to configure Jira if you aren’t using OAuth2 (click to expand)
There are a few steps involved before we can set up a two-way sync with Unito, but we promise it’s worthwhile. The benefit of eliminating manual tasks for your team indefinitely far outweighs the time it takes to set up your automation rules now. So let’s dive in.
The Jira account connected to Unito must have administrator access with global permissions.
Otherwise, Create a new sheet and set up a table header in the first row. Give each cell the name of a different Jira field. It doesn’t have to be case sensitive, as long as you know which fields should populate which column.
Here’s a detailed of options (click to expand):
Affected version Assignee Attachment Reporter Comment Component Project name Created at Date picker (custom field)* Date time (custom field)* Description Due date Epic Fix version Float (custom field)* Issue number Issue id Label Multiple checkbox (custom field)* Multiple select list (custom field)* Multiple user picker (custom field)*
Priority Radio button (custom field)* Remaining estimated duration Resolution Single select list (custom field)* Sprint Sprint end date Sprint start date Issue status Subtask Issue type Textarea (custom field)* Text field (custom field)* Original time estimate Time spent Summary Link to issue Url (custom field)* User picker (custom field)*
In order for Unito to sync data properly, you’ll need to name the first and last columns of your sheet: “UnitoID” and “Last Modified”. The Unito extension does this automatically, or you can create the titles manually.
You’ll then need to install the Unito add-in for Microsoft Excel. and use it to insert two columns into your spreadsheet: UnitoID and Last Modified. These columns tell Unito to keep other columns between them in sync with Jira.
Click here if you need detailed instructions to install the Unito add-in for Excel.
Then, from your spreadsheet click on File, then Get Add-ins.
In the next screen click STORE and type Unito into the search box.
Click Add and follow the on-screen instructions to install the Unito add-in.
Follow the on-screen instructions to add Unito to your Microsoft workspace.
Once the add-in is installed, click Insert the two columns in this sheet.
You’ll see UnitoID and Last Modified. Only columns between those two will sync with Unito. Having them columns in your table header is essential for this integration to function as intended. You can hide them, but don’t delete or modify those columns.
Step 1: Connect Jira and Excel to Unito
Starting from either the Unito interface, or the embedded version in Jira:
Click +Create flow or Start Here if you’re already on the tool selection screen.
Select +Add a tool to this flow in either column.
Note: The same steps apply whether you’re conThe same steps apply whether you’re connecting Jira Software, Jira Data Center, Jira Service Management or Jira Work Management.
Then +Choose account to specify the Jira project and Excel table you plan on syncing.
Click Confirm.
Step 2. Choose a flow direction for creating new issues or rows
Flow direction determines how new work items (tasks, issues or spreadsheet rows) are created by Unito automatically. If you pick a one-way flow direction, you’ll have a source and destination tool. Manually created work items in the source will appear automatically in the destination through Unito.
Flow direction example: a one-way flow from Jira to Excel would automatically create new Excel rows when you create new issues in Jira, but not the other way around. In contrast, a two-way flow would automatically create new work items in both tools.
Note: Later, you’ll be able to add field mappings to determine which fields will be kept updated in both tools — regardless of the flow direction you set here.
Select Confirm when you’ve chosen a flow direction.
Step 3. Filter out unrelated Jira data from syncing to Excel with rules
Rules determine which actions taken in one tool will create new work items in the other.
You could, for instance, set up a rule that filters out all Jira issues that don’t have a specific label or only turn a spreadsheet row into a new task or issue if a certain field is populated or not.
Click Add a new rule, select a field for filtering, then choose the value you want to include (e.g. a specific Jira label).
Step 4: Link fields between Jira and Microsoft Excel
Fields represent the details of your Jira and Excel data. Text, single-select, priority, assignees, and emails are all examples of fields you can map with Unito. Although only text and numbers will sync to a spreadsheet.
So, in this step, you’ll be setting a relationship between pairs of fields in Jira and Excel to sync, say, summary to title, assignee to assignee, status to status etc.
If your fields are identical, auto-mapping should pick up most of them. Otherwise, for most spreadsheet integrations, you’ll have to map them manually.
Select +Add mapping, then Select a field in both tools to pair them together. The directional arrows in the middle determine how real-time updates occur.
Here’s an example of our demo template showing field mappings between Jira and Excel.
What do the arrows mean? The arrows indicate if and how manual changes to one field will automatically update the paired field in your other tool.
Click Confirm when you’re satisfied with your field mappings.
And that’s it! You’ve just built a flow between Jira and Excel. Congratulations!
If you followed the steps above, your flow will now:
Automatically create new work items in one tool when they’re created in the other.
Keep fields up to date in both tools.
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out and let us know.
What’s next after integrating Excel with Jira using Unito?
Now that you’ve set up your integration between Microsoft Excel and Jira, you can replicate this process to connect all kinds of data between tools.
You can duplicate this flow to build a more powerful workflow by sending additional types of Jira work items to another spreadsheet, perhaps one for bug fixes and another for feature requests.
Do you find yourself switching back and forth between Jira and Excel to build reports for stakeholders? Or perhaps you’re tired of copy pasting the same information back and forth to generate new tasks?
Jira is a great platform for task management particularly for software teams who need help with: issue tracking, agile methodology, time tracking. Atlassian also offers a range of products to help meet your needs: Jira Data Center, Jira Service Management, Jira Work Management and more. But, when it comes to reporting, there’s nothing like a good old-fashioned, flexible spreadsheet tool like Excel.
Optimize efficiency with no-code 2-way sync
Integrating Jira and Microsoft Excel can help teams that aren’t familiar with Jira collaborate more effectively with a development team. This can be especially useful for project managers trying to manage technical and non-technical projects at the same time without needing to switch back and forth between each tool. You can assign development requests from your spreadsheet to Jira, align on feedback, or extend visibility to stakeholders.
Streamlining Workflows with Unito’s No-Code Integration
This Jira Excel Integration can also be useful in setting up a more efficient way of working across complex initiatives and work with remote teams more easily. Instead of having to wait hours or days for updates to come through manually, you’ll see live updates in whichever tool you prefer.
Embrace the power of a united workflow
Other benefits of this Excel Jira integration include:
Eliminating manual updates: No more switching between tools for project updates! Creating a new Jira task or issue manually will automatically create a new row in Microsoft Excel and vice versa, depending on your setup in Unito.
Faster and more accurate issue reporting: With your workflow synced through Unito, everything updates in real-time without the risk of human error. So bugs and feature requests can be directly synced between platforms, ensuring developers have the context they need for a rapid response.
Support for agile development processes: Syncing spreadsheets to Jira sprints enables teams between tools to work in their preferred interface while staying aligned and on track.
Enhanced interdepartmental visibility: Spreadsheets are universal! Stakeholders will have an easier time reviewing progress updates and data in Excel than they will in Jira. Unito makes it easy to share visibility with this workflow and even enable feedback.
Who should integrate Excel and Jira with Unito?
Imagine a scenario where developers push code changes in Jira, which are immediately reflected in documentation or status updates in Excel. Stakeholders can address concerns, add input, and stay updated in real-time. This kind of 2-way sync is more than just a feature—it’s a way of working that can break down barriers between teams.
Unito offers a simple and user-friendly experience without added complexity, allowing you to easily navigate through various workflows. Any team that relies on Jira can benefit, including:
Tech Companies: Streamline bug tracking, feature requests, and communication between technical and non-technical teams.
Agencies: Keep clients informed of development progress within Microsoft Excel while your devs work comfortably in Jira.
Cross-functional Teams: Ensure everyone has a shared view of project status, regardless of their preferred work management platform.
Does this Excel Jira integration centralize data for remote teams?
Yes! Stay aligned with updates automatically reflected in both tools, regardless of where team members are working. Remote and distributed teams particularly benefit from the Jira Excel integration, as it allows them to:
Manage tasks and collaborate on code within a single platform
Reduce the need to switch between different platforms
Ensure that all team members are always on the same page, no matter their location.
