Reporting on Data in External Databases with Elements Connect

Owned by David Goldstein
Last updated: Jun 12, 2024

Dataplane works with the Elements Connect app to report on data from external data sources.

Elements Connect can be used to create Jira custom fields that pull data from external databases, web sources, files, or other non-Jira locations. 

In Dataplane Reports, Elements Connect fields can be used for segmentation and grouping in most Dataplane reports.

All Elements Connect custom fields are currently treated as text. The data in Connect fields is not currently available to be summed in numeric reports or usable as a date basis.

Creating a Connect Field

For details on creating a new Connect field in Jira, see the Elements Connect Administrator Guide.

Using a Connect Field in Dataplane Reports

The following are important configuration considerations and usage tips in order to successfully report on an Elements Connect field.

Making the Field Available to Reports

1) After creating a new Elements Connect field, you must reindex Jira. This is required to make the field's values visible to Jira and Dataplane. If your Jira version supports it, you can avoid downtime by reindexing only individual Jira projects (if the field is only used in those projects), or by performing a background reindex of Jira.

2) After creating a new Elements Connect field, you must also go to the Dataplane Reports → Administration → Configuration page and click the "Sync Index" button to refresh Dataplane Report's list of Jira fields and their data types.

Configuring Associated Screens

If you do not want the field to be visible to end users outside of Dataplane Reports, do not associate the field with any Jira issue screens.

However for initial script testing, it can be useful to temporarily associate the field with the Default or View issue screen in order to see and evaluate script results.

For More Information

For more information on what Elements Connect can do for your teams, visit the Elements Connect product page or review the following product video:

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