What a Jira filter does and why you need one

A filter in Jira is a saved search that finds issues matching whatever criteria you set — by assignee, status, project, due date, or any other field. Instead of running the same search ten times a day, you create the filter once and click it whenever you need those results. Filters appear in your sidebar, in dashboards, and in reports, so they become part of how your team works.

The filter itself is just a query written in Jira's search language. You do not have to write the language by hand — Jira's interface builds it for you as you click. Once saved, the filter updates automatically. If you filter for "all bugs assigned to Sarah", and someone assigns her a new bug tomorrow, it shows up in that filter without you doing anything.

Key Takeaways

  • Filters are built in the Issues menu under Filters and Issues, using either the basic interface or the advanced search box.
  • The basic interface lets you click checkboxes for project, status, assignee, and other fields without learning any search syntax.
  • Once you have results you want to keep, click Save As to give the filter a name and choose whether your team can see it.
  • Saved filters appear in your sidebar and can be added to dashboards, shared with other team members, or used in reports.
  • You can edit or delete a saved filter anytime by opening it and clicking the three-dot menu.

Creating a filter using the basic search interface

Start by going to Filters in the top navigation bar, then click Filters and Issues. You will see a search box at the top and a list of issues below it. On the left side is a panel with filter options — Project, Status, Assignee, and others depending on your Jira setup.

Click the checkbox next to any field value you want to filter by. For example, if you want to see only open bugs in your project, check the Bug checkbox under Issue Type, then check To Do and In Progress under Status. The issue list updates instantly as you check boxes. You can combine as many filters as you want — Jira shows only issues that match all of them at once.

If the field you need is not visible in the left panel, scroll down in that panel to find it, or click More to see additional options. Some fields like Due Date or Created have their own interface — click the field name and you will see date pickers or other tools specific to that field.

Saving your filter so you can use it again

Once your search results show exactly what you want, click the Save button (usually near the top right of the page). Jira will ask you to name the filter — use something specific like "Open bugs assigned to Sarah" rather than "My filter". A clear name makes it easy to find later when you have many filters.

Below the name field, you will see a Share option. If you leave it unchecked, only you can see this filter. If you check it, anyone in your Jira workspace can find and use it. Shared filters are useful for team-wide searches like "all issues due this week" or "all bugs in the backend project". Click Save and you are done.

Your new filter now appears in the Filters menu and in your sidebar under Filters. Click it anytime to run that search again without setting up the filters a second time.

Using the advanced search for complex filters

The basic interface covers most everyday filters, but sometimes you need something more specific — like "all issues assigned to Sarah or Marcus that are not closed and have a priority higher than Low". For these, use the advanced search box instead.

In the Filters and Issues page, look for a link that says Advanced or Switch to Advanced Search. This opens a text box where you write a query in Jira Query Language (JQL). You do not need to memorize JQL syntax — start typing a field name like assignee or status and Jira will suggest completions. The syntax is straightforward: assignee = Sarah AND status != Closed finds all open issues assigned to Sarah.

If you are new to JQL, the basic interface is usually enough. But if you find yourself needing the same complex search repeatedly, learning a few JQL patterns will save you time. Jira's documentation has examples for common searches, and you can always copy a filter someone else created and modify it.

Finding and editing a filter you already created

Your saved filters live in two places: the Filters menu at the top of Jira, and the Filters section of your sidebar (if your workspace has it enabled). Click either one to see your list of filters. Click the filter name to run it.

To change a filter, open it and click the three-dot menu (usually in the top right). You will see options to Edit, Delete, or Share. Click Edit to change the search criteria — adjust the checkboxes or the JQL, then click Save. The filter updates for everyone who uses it if it is shared, or just for you if it is private.

If you no longer need a filter, click Delete from that same menu. Deleting a filter does not delete any issues — it just removes the saved search.

Adding a filter to a dashboard

Filters are most useful when you see them without having to navigate to the Filters menu. You can add a filter to a dashboard so it displays the results in a widget that updates automatically.

Open your dashboard and click Edit. Click Add Gadget or Add Widget (the exact wording depends on your Jira version). Search for "Filter Results" or "Issues" and click it. A settings panel will appear asking you to choose which filter to display. Select your filter from the dropdown, set how many issues to show, and click Save. The widget now shows the results of that filter on your dashboard.

Sharing a filter with your team

If you created a filter that your whole team needs — like "all issues due this sprint" or "all unresolved support tickets" — you can share it so they do not have to recreate it themselves.

Open the filter and click the three-dot menu, then Share. Check the box to make it shared. Depending on your Jira permissions, you may be able to share it with specific people, groups, or your entire workspace. Once shared, the filter appears in other team members' Filters menu and sidebar. They can use it, but only you (or a Jira admin) can edit or delete it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a filter to show issues from multiple projects at once?

Yes. In the basic search, check the Project checkbox and select as many projects as you want. The filter will show issues from all of them. In advanced search, use project in (ProjectA, ProjectB) to search multiple projects at once.

What is the difference between a filter and a saved search?

In Jira, they are the same thing. A filter is a saved search. Once you save it, it becomes a filter you can reuse, share, and add to dashboards. The terms are used interchangeably.

Can I delete a shared filter without affecting other people's work?

Deleting a filter removes it from everyone's Filters menu, but it does not delete any issues or affect any work in progress. If people have the filter on their dashboards, the widget will show an error until they remove it. Only delete a shared filter if you are sure no one is using it.

How do I find filters that other people on my team created?

Open the Filters menu and look for a section called Shared Filters or Team Filters. All shared filters appear there. You can also ask your team members for the filter name and search for it in the Filters menu.

Can I set a filter to run automatically on a schedule?

Filters themselves do not run on a schedule, but you can use them in reports or automation rules. For example, you can create a Jira automation rule that sends a daily email with the results of a specific filter, or add the filter to a report that runs weekly.