Migrating Smart Forms from Jira Data Center to Jira Cloud

If you’re moving from Jira Data Center (DC) to Jira Cloud, this guide explains how Smart Forms data is migrated, what is included, and how to validate everything after the move.

The migration is performed using Atlassian’s Jira Cloud Migration Assistant (JCMA).
What is migrated

During the current migration phase, the following Smart Forms data is supported:

✅ Forms (templates and configuration)

• Form structure

• All elements and fields

• Validation settings

• Conditional logic

• Form configuration

✅ Form restrictions

• Ownership

• User/group-based access rules

❌ Form responses (submissions)
At this time, responses are not migrated. Only form definitions and restrictions are transferred.

Before you start

Please make sure:

• You are a Jira administrator in both:

  • The Data Center instance (source)

  • The Cloud site (destination)

• Smart Forms is installed on Jira Cloud before starting the migration.

• You have installed Jira Cloud Migration Assistant (JCMA) on your Jira Data Center instance.

Step 1: Install Jira Cloud Migration Assistant (on Data Center)

1. Log in to Jira Data Center as a Jira Admin

2. Go to ⚙️ Settings → Manage apps

3. Click Upload app

4. Upload the Jira Cloud Migration Assistant (OBR file)

5. Wait until installation finishes

After installation:

6. Go to ⚙️ Settings → System

7. Click Jira Cloud Migration Assistant

Step 2: Make Sure Smart Forms Is Installed on Cloud

1. Log in to your Jira Cloud

2. Go to ⚙️ Settings → Apps → Manage apps

3. Search for Smart Forms

4. Install it (if not already installed)

⚠️ Migration will not work if the Cloud app is missing.

PART 2 — Prepare the Migration

Inside Jira Cloud Migration Assistant (Data Center):

Step 3: Run Assessment

1. Click Assess your apps

2. Wait for the scan to complete

3. Review:

   • User assessment

   • App compatibility

4. Confirm there are no blocking errors

Step 4: Prepare Apps

1. Click Prepare your apps

2. Click Begin

You will see:

Migrate from

Your Data Center URL (auto-filled)

Migrate to

1. Select your Cloud site

2. Click Connect

3. Log in to Cloud if prompted

Step 5: Review Users & Domains

1. JCMA will show email domains (e.g., gmail.com, http://company.com )

2. For each domain:

   • Select Trust (if correct)

3. Click Done

This ensures users are properly matched in Cloud.

PART 3 — Migration Execution

We recommend doing migration in TWO PHASES.

PHASE A — Migrate Required Jira Data First

This ensures Smart Forms restrictions work correctly.

Step 6: Create Migration

1. Click Migrate your data

2. Click Create migration

Fill in Migration Name

Example:
SmartForms - Phase 1 - Jira Entities

Click Next

Select What to Migrate

On the data selection screen:

✔ Select:

• Projects

• Users

• Groups

You can select:

• All projects
  OR

• Only projects that contain forms

⚠️ If this is a test run, you may limit to one project.

Click Next

Apps Section

Do not worry about Smart Forms yet.
Phase A is mainly for Jira core data.

Click Run migration

Wait until completed.

PHASE B — Migrate Smart Forms Data

After users, groups, and projects exist in Cloud.

Step 7: Create Second Migration

1. Click Create migration

2. Name it:

SmartForms - Phase 2 - App Data

Click Next

Select Project Scope

Select:

• The project(s) where Smart Forms exist

Click Next

Apps Selection Screen

1. Find Smart Forms

2. Ensure it is selected

3. Continue

Click Run migration

What Happens During Migration?

The system will:

1. Package Smart Forms data on Data Center

2. Transfer it securely

3. Restore:

   • Forms

   • Form structure

   • Restrictions

   • Owners

After Migration — What to Check

Go to Jira Cloud.

Step 8: Verify Forms

1. Open a project

2. Open Smart Forms section

3. Check:

✔ All forms exist
✔ Fields are correct
✔ Required fields still required
✔ Conditional logic works
✔ Restrictions are applied

Step 9: Test Submission

1. Attach a form to a test issue

2. Submit a new response

3. Confirm response saves correctly

Important Notes

Responses

Form responses from Data Center are not migrated.

Users Look Different?

Usernames may change slightly.
Matching is based on email address, not display name.

Project Conflict Error?

If migration says project already exists:

Options:

• Rename Cloud project

• Delete Cloud project (test only)

• Exclude project from migration