Backup & Restore
The Backup & Restore function for External Data for Jira Fields (Advanced Edition only) provides an essential safety net for your configuration and data within Jira. It allows you to create scheduled and manual backups, giving you the flexibility to either restore entire configurations or selected parts (e.g. individual fields or data sources). This ensures that you always have a reliable way to revert to previous settings, safeguard against accidental misconfigurations, and seamlessly transfer your configurations between different Jira instances.
Backups only include the configurations of the data sources, not the actual data from Jira and the custom fields.
This function is only available in the Advanced Plan. You will find an overview of the available pricing options here: https://marketplace.atlassian.com/apps/1219994/external-data-for-jira-fields/plans
Manage and Schedule Backups
Accessing the Backup Function
To access the Backup function, go to the tab Settings in the Backend, then select Backup on the left side bar.

Backup Configuration
Scheduled Backup
You can set up a scheduled backup to run at a given interval. This ensures your configuration is automatically saved on a regular basis, minimizing the risk of losing important data due to unexpected issues or changes.

Manual Backup
If you need an immediate snapshot of your configuration — for example, right before making major adjustments — you can use the manual backup function “Backup Now” on the right side above the Backup History.
Backup History
All your backups are listed in one place for easy reference. The overview includes timestamps and other details that help you identify exactly which version of your configuration you want to restore.

Download & Upload Backups
You can export a backup file for safekeeping or to migrate settings between different Jira environments. For example, you might configure everything in a sandbox/test instance, download the backup, and then upload it into the production instance to seamlessly transfer your tested configuration.

Restore Partial or Full Backups
When restoring from a backup, you have the flexibility to revert your entire configuration or only specific parts, such as individual fields or data sources. This selective approach is useful if you only want to fix certain elements without affecting everything else.

Typical Use Cases
The Backup & Restore function is particularly valuable in several scenarios:
Sandbox to Production Migration
Using a sandbox or development environment to configure and refine your settings allows you to thoroughly test changes. Once you’re confident that everything works as expected, you can export a backup from the sandbox and import it into the production environment. This approach provides a seamless migration path, reduces potential downtime, and helps ensure that any new features or adjustments have been thoroughly tested before being rolled out to end users.
Please make sure that the sandbox custom fields also exist in the production environment for this feature to work properly. If the sandbox is not a mirrored instance, errors may occur.
Disaster Recovery
Each backup serves as a snapshot of your External Data for Jira Fields settings at a particular moment in time. If an update introduces issues or conflicts, you can quickly restore a previous version to revert to known working settings.
In the event of a serious misconfiguration or unexpected system failure, having a reliable backup on hand allows you to quickly revert to a previously verified, stable configuration. This drastically cuts down on troubleshooting time and reduces service interruptions.