How to Export Jira Test Cases

Most teams think exporting Jira test cases is simple. Open the issue navigator, apply a filter, click export, and download a CSV or Excel file. I used to think the same. If the data shows up in a spreadsheet, the job is done.

But here’s what I learned the hard way. What gets exported is not always what you expect. Test steps may not appear the way you structured them. Custom fields can behave differently. Attachments, formatting, and linked data do not always travel cleanly. And when someone asks for a complete, audit-ready export, the basic download option suddenly feels limited.

In practice, Jira exports only the fields selected in the issue view, and structured elements like test steps are often stored differently depending on how test cases are configured. If step-level details or custom fields are not explicitly included, they will not appear in the output. That is where most teams get stuck.

In this guide, I will explain what Jira test cases contain, why teams export them, the formats Jira supports, and how to export Jira test cases to Excel and CSV while ensuring test steps and critical fields are not missed.

What Are Jira Test Cases

In Jira, a test case is a structured issue that defines how a specific feature or requirement should be validated. It documents the steps to execute, the expected result, and any supporting details required to verify that the application behaves as intended.

Unlike generic Jira issues such as Stories or Bugs, test cases are created specifically for validation activities. They act as reusable validation units that can be linked to user stories, requirements, test plans, and test executions.

A typical Jira test case includes the following components:

• Summary: A clear title that describes what is being tested.
• Description: Additional context about the functionality under test.
• Preconditions: Any setup required before executing the test.
• Test Steps: A sequence of actions to perform.
• Expected Results: The outcome that should occur after each step or at the end of execution.
• Priority and Status: Indicators that help manage execution order and lifecycle.
• Custom Fields: Organization-specific fields such as module, release, automation status, or environment.

Depending on how Jira is configured, test cases may exist as a dedicated issue type called Test, or they may be managed through an integrated test management solution that extends Jira’s native capabilities.

60% of Teams Lose Test Data During Exports

Keep test cases, runs, and defects linked during Jira exports with full dashboard visibility.

Try Jira Test Management

Why You Might Need to Export Jira Test Cases

Jira works well for managing test cases during active development. But, at different stages of a project, test data needs to be extracted, shared, reviewed, migrated, or archived in a structured format.

Below are the most practical reasons teams export test cases.

• Tool migration or platform switch: When moving to a new test management solution or consolidating multiple Jira instances, exporting test cases is the first step in recreating the test suite elsewhere.
• Client or vendor transition: At the end of a project engagement, complete test documentation must be handed over. Exporting ensures the receiving party gets structured test cases without dependency on Jira access.
• Release documentation snapshot: Before a production release, teams export test cases to capture the exact validation scope associated with that release. This creates a fixed reference for future audits or defect investigations.
• Regulatory or compliance audit: Auditors often request documented test procedures, expected results, and traceability. An exported file provides a static, shareable artifact for compliance review.

• Bulk review and restructuring: Large test suites are often easier to review and reorganize in Excel. Teams export data to perform bulk edits, tagging, reclassification, or cleanup before re-importing or updating records.
• Cross-team reuse of mature test suites: When launching similar products or modules, teams export existing validated test cases and adapt them instead of building new ones from scratch.
• Pre-change data backup: Before modifying workflows, custom fields, or project configurations, teams export test cases to preserve a recoverable copy of structured test data.

Supported Export Formats in Jira

Jira allows test cases to be exported in multiple formats, depending on how they are managed and what level of detail is required. Each format serves a different purpose, and the structure of the exported file varies significantly. Choosing the right format affects how usable the data will be outside Jira.

Below are the primary export formats supported within Jira.

1. CSV (Current Fields): Exports only the fields currently visible in the Issue Navigator. This option is useful for quick reports where only selected columns such as Summary, Status, Priority, or custom fields are needed. Structured data like test steps will only appear if configured as exportable fields.
2. CSV (All Fields): Exports every available field associated with the selected test cases, including system fields and custom fields. This format is typically used for data migration, backups, or when a complete dataset is required. The output may contain many columns, including fields that are not immediately relevant.
3. Excel CSV: Similar to CSV export but optimized for opening directly in Microsoft Excel. The structure remains tabular, with rows representing test cases and columns representing fields.
4. XML: Provides a structured markup-based export format. XML exports are often used for system-level backups or data transfers between Jira instances. This format preserves more structural information compared to flat CSV files.

How to Export Jira Test Cases in Jira

Jira exports test cases through the Issue Navigator, since test cases are stored as issue types within a project. The export process allows you to filter specific test cases, choose the fields to include, and download them in the required format.

How to Export Jira Test Cases to Excel

Exporting Jira test cases to Excel is useful when stakeholders need a spreadsheet for review, reporting, or bulk edits.

1. Open the Issue Navigator and filter the required test cases.
2. Ensure all necessary columns are visible, including custom fields if needed.
3. Click Export.
4. Select Export Excel CSV (all fields) or the Excel-compatible CSV option.
5. Download the file and open it in Microsoft Excel.

The exported file will display each test case as a row and each selected field as a column. If test steps are stored in a structured format, they may appear as concatenated text within a single cell.

How to Export Jira Test Cases to CSV

CSV export is commonly used for data migration, backups, or integration with other tools.

1. Open the Issue Navigator and filter your test cases.
2. Adjust columns to include required fields.
3. Click Export.
4. Choose CSV (Current Fields) to export only visible columns, or CSV (All Fields) to export the complete dataset.
5. Download the file.

CSV files are plain-text and compatible with most systems. However, structured data such as multi-line test steps may appear flattened, depending on how the test cases are configured.

60% of Teams Lose Test Data During Exports

Keep test cases, runs, and defects linked during Jira exports with full dashboard visibility.

Try Jira Test Management

Exporting Test Cases with Test Steps

Test steps are not always stored as standard Jira fields. In many projects, they exist as custom fields or are managed through a test management integration. Because Jira exports only selected fields, test steps will not appear unless the underlying field is included in the export.

Before exporting, open a test case and identify where the steps are stored. If steps are saved in a custom field, add that field to the Issue Navigator columns before exporting. If steps are managed through an integrated test management solution, use that solution’s export option to preserve the structured format.

To export test cases with test steps included:

1. Open the Issue Navigator and filter the required test cases.
2. Click Columns and add the field that stores test steps.
3. Add related fields such as expected results or preconditions if needed.
4. Click Export and choose the required format.
5. Review the downloaded file to confirm that step-level details are present.

In CSV or Excel exports, test steps typically appear as multi-line text within a single cell. The formatting may differ from how steps appear inside Jira.

Exporting Filtered Test Cases

Filtering ensures the export contains only relevant test cases.

To export filtered test cases:

1. Open Search for Issues.
2. Apply a JQL filter such as project, issue type, status, label, or fix version.
3. Verify the result count.
4. Adjust visible columns if required.
5. Click Export and select the desired format.

Using precise filters is important when exporting test cases for a specific release, sprint, module, or audit scope.

60% of Teams Lose Test Data During Exports

Keep test cases, runs, and defects linked during Jira exports with full dashboard visibility.

Try Jira Test Management

Exporting Jira Test Cases Using BrowserStack Test Management

BrowserStack Test Management for Jira integrates with Jira to let teams create, organize, execute, and track manual test cases directly alongside development work. It stores test steps, preconditions, test plans, and execution cycles in a structured way, making it easier to manage and export test data compared to native Jira issues.

When Jira connects to BrowserStack Test Management, teams can link test cases to Jira issues for traceability while managing the full software testing lifecycle within the tool. This setup ensures exported data includes all critical details and stays organized.

Key features of BrowserStack Test Management for Jira that supports exporting test cases:

• Structured Test Steps: Stores step-by-step actions and expected results in a clear, consistent format.
• Preconditions and Metadata: Captures preconditions, priority, tags, and other attributes, which export intact.
• Folder-Based Organization: Groups test cases into folders for easy batch exports.
• Bulk Selection and Export: Lets teams select multiple test cases and export them together.
• Multiple Export Formats: Provides CSV for spreadsheets or .feature files for BDD-based test cases.

Follow these steps to export test cases:

1. Open BrowserStack Test Management and go to the Test Cases section.
2. Navigate to the folder or view containing the test cases you want to export.
3. Select the test cases by checking the boxes beside each case you need.
4. To select all tests in the folder, use the top checkbox and confirm selection across pages.
5. Click the Export button.
6. Choose the export format:

• CSV for a spreadsheet-friendly format with full test details.
• .feature for BDD / Gherkin test cases (if applicable).

Talk to an Expert

Conclusion

Exporting Jira test cases lets teams share, archive, and analyze test data outside Jira. Choose the right export format, include critical fields such as test steps, preconditions, and custom fields, and filter test cases to ensure every export contains only accurate and relevant data.

BrowserStack Test Management simplifies this process by capturing full test case details in a structured format. Select test cases in bulk, organize them by folders, and export in CSV or .feature formats to generate complete, audit-ready files for reporting, migration, or stakeholder review.

Try Jira Test Management