J Jira

How to switch between board views on Jira

beginner 8 min read Updated 2026-03-18
Quick Answer

Switch between Jira board views by navigating to your project, clicking on Boards in the left sidebar, and selecting your desired board from the dropdown menu. You can toggle between different view modes like Kanban and Scrum using the board configuration options.

Prerequisites

  • Active Jira account
  • Access to a Jira project with boards
  • Basic understanding of Jira navigation
  • Appropriate project permissions

Step-by-Step Instructions

1

Navigate to your Jira project

Log into your Jira instance and click on Projects in the top navigation bar. Select the project containing the boards you want to switch between from the dropdown menu or project list.
You can also use the search bar to quickly find your project by typing its name or key.
2

Access the Boards section

In the left sidebar of your project, locate and click on Boards. This will display all available boards associated with your current project.
If you don't see the Boards option, check your project permissions or ensure you're in a software project type.
3

Select a different board

Click on the board name dropdown at the top of the current board view. A list will appear showing all available boards for this project. Click on the board you want to switch to from this dropdown menu.
Board names often indicate their purpose, such as 'Sprint Board' for Scrum or 'Development Board' for Kanban workflows.
4

Switch between view modes

Once on your desired board, look for view options in the top-right area. Click on View Settings or the view toggle buttons to switch between different display modes like Board View, List View, or Timeline View.
Different view modes show the same data in different formats - choose based on your workflow preference.
5

Configure board display options

Click on the Board Settings gear icon in the top-right corner to access advanced view configurations. Here you can modify columns, swimlanes, card layout, and quick filters to customize how your board appears.
Save time by setting up quick filters for common views like 'My Issues' or 'Current Sprint'.
6

Use board shortcuts for quick switching

Press g then a to quickly access the board switcher, or use Ctrl + K (Windows) or Cmd + K (Mac) to open the quick search and type the board name you want to switch to.
Keyboard shortcuts are the fastest way to navigate between boards once you memorize them.
7

Bookmark frequently used boards

Click the star icon next to board names in the board dropdown to bookmark them. Starred boards will appear at the top of your board list and in the Your work section for quick access.
Limit bookmarks to 3-5 boards you use most frequently to keep your navigation clean and efficient.

Common Issues & Troubleshooting

Board dropdown is empty or missing boards

Check your project permissions and ensure you have access to view boards. Contact your Jira administrator if boards should exist but aren't visible. Verify you're in the correct project.

Board Settings option is grayed out or missing

You need board administrator permissions to modify board settings. Request access from your project admin or work with the current board configuration. Some system boards may have restricted settings.

View modes not switching properly

Clear your browser cache and refresh the page. Try switching views in an incognito/private browser window. If the issue persists, check if your Jira instance needs updating or contact support.

Keyboard shortcuts not working

Ensure you're clicked into the Jira interface and not in a text field. Check if browser extensions are interfering with shortcuts. Verify keyboard shortcuts are enabled in your Jira user preferences under Personal Settings.

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