Problem Summary

The Select List (Multiple Choices) and Select List (Single Choice) fields are difficult to use when there are many options available.

Jira renders the list as a basic <select> element.

This means the user must manually scroll down and locate the item in the list, which can be difficult with a large amount of options.

Select List (Multiple Choices) is even more difficult, as the user is required to use an archaic input method, CTRL+Click to select multiple options. This is confusing and prone to error.

Suggested Solution

Provide a modern UI for these field types, including a search feature.

Example:

https://mdbootstrap.com/docs/standard/extended/select-dropdown-with-search/

Workarounds

Option 1

Multi-Select fields can be turned into a labels style widget by adding the Dark Feature

multiselect.frother.renderer

Option 2

Jira already has such a widget, it's just not used.

1. Then set Jira Admin -> System -> General Config -> Enable HTML in field descriptions and list item values -> ON
   • This is a potential security risk, as Jira Admin could inject arbitary HTML/CSS/JavaScript into each field
2. Edit your custom field: Jira Admin -> Issues -> Find the Select custom field -> ... -> Edit Details)
3. Add to the Description the following content, replacing customfield_nnnnn with your custom field ID:

   <script>
   new AJS.SingleSelect({
   	element: AJS.$('select#customfield_nnnnn'),
   	setMaxHeightToWindow: true
   });
   </script>