How to build custom dashboards on Jira

intermediate 8 min read Updated 2026-03-18

Quick Answer

Building custom dashboards in Jira involves creating a new dashboard, adding and configuring gadgets like filters, charts, and reports, then arranging them to display relevant project data. You can customize layouts, set permissions, and share dashboards with team members for improved project visibility.

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Prerequisites

Jira administrator or project admin permissions
Basic understanding of Jira projects and issue types
Familiarity with JQL (Jira Query Language)
Access to Jira Cloud or Server instance

Step-by-Step Instructions

Create a New Dashboard

Navigate to Dashboards in the top navigation bar and click View all dashboards. Click the Create dashboard button in the top-right corner. Enter a descriptive name for your dashboard and optionally add a description. Choose whether to start with a blank dashboard or copy from existing dashboard. Set the appropriate sharing permissions and click Add.

Use descriptive names that reflect the dashboard's purpose, like 'Sprint Progress Dashboard' or 'Bug Tracking Overview'

Add Your First Gadget

On your new dashboard, click Add gadget in the center or use the + button. Browse the available gadgets or use the search function to find specific ones. Popular options include Filter Results, Created vs Resolved Chart, Pie Chart, and Activity Stream. Select your desired gadget and click Add gadget.

Start with 2-3 essential gadgets to avoid cluttering your dashboard

Configure Gadget Settings

After adding a gadget, click the Configure (gear) icon on the gadget. For Filter Results gadgets, select or create a saved filter using JQL queries. For chart gadgets, choose the appropriate Project, Filter, and Statistic Type. Set the Refresh Interval to automatically update data (15 minutes, 30 minutes, etc.). Click Save to apply your configuration.

Create and save custom filters beforehand to make gadget configuration faster

Arrange Dashboard Layout

Click Edit layout to modify your dashboard structure. Choose from layout options: One column, Two columns, Three columns, or Two column (70/30). Drag and drop gadgets between columns to organize them logically. Resize gadgets by dragging the bottom-right corner of each gadget. Click Finish editing when satisfied with the arrangement.

Place the most important information in the left column or top section for better visibility

Add Advanced Gadgets

Click Add gadget again to include more specialized gadgets. Add a Two Dimensional Filter Statistics gadget for cross-tabulated data analysis. Include an Average Age Chart to track how long issues remain unresolved. Add a Resolution Time gadget to monitor team performance. Configure each gadget with relevant filters and time periods.

Use the 'Refresh' button on individual gadgets to update data immediately after configuration changes

Set Dashboard Permissions

Click the Share dashboard button (share icon) in the top-right corner. Choose sharing options: Private (only you), Shared with groups, Shared with projects, or Public. For group sharing, select specific Jira groups from the dropdown menu. For project sharing, choose relevant projects where team members need access. Click Update to save permission changes.

Consider creating separate dashboards for different stakeholder groups with appropriate permission levels

Create Dashboard Shortcuts and Favorites

Click the star icon next to your dashboard name to add it to favorites for quick access. Navigate to Dashboards > Manage dashboards to set one dashboard as your default dashboard. Create dashboard collections by using similar naming conventions for related dashboards. Use the Recently viewed section to quickly access frequently used dashboards.

Set your most frequently used dashboard as the default to save time when logging into Jira

Common Issues & Troubleshooting

Gadget shows 'No data to display' message

Check that your filter query returns results by testing it in Issues > Search for issues. Verify that you have permission to view the projects and issues in your filter. Update the filter criteria to include a broader date range or different project scope.

Dashboard loads slowly or times out

Reduce the number of gadgets on your dashboard or increase refresh intervals to reduce server load. Optimize JQL queries by using specific project keys and avoiding complex nested queries. Consider splitting complex dashboards into multiple focused dashboards.

Unable to share dashboard with team members

Verify you have dashboard sharing permissions in your Jira instance. Check that the users or groups you're sharing with exist and have appropriate Jira access. Contact your Jira administrator if sharing options are restricted by global permissions.

Gadget configuration options are missing or greyed out

Ensure you have project administrator or appropriate permissions for the projects you're trying to access. Check if the gadget requires specific Jira applications (like Jira Software or Service Management) to be enabled. Verify that required filters and projects haven't been deleted or moved.

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