Cannot add Watchers via CSV Upload
Asked by Hannah Patzer:

Hello,   

I am unable to add watchers via CSV upload. I have found many other inquiries with the same frustrations. Is this a feature that will ever become available to admins?  

Thank you,   
Hannah


Answers:
author: Ivan Lima
body: Hi [@Hannah Patzer](/t5/user/viewprofilepage/user-id/4566951), welcome to the Atlassian Community.

You should be able to add watchers via CSV. Have a look at [Import data from a CSV file](https://support.atlassian.com/jira-cloud-administration/docs/import-data-from-a-csv-file/). Make sure you choose Settings \> System \> External System Import \> CSV. Typically when admins have challenges with CSV import, I recommend creating smaller files, fewer columns, and a plain text editor. If you're still not able to add them after going through the steps described in the docs, you share the steps you're taking and the message you've got so that we can better assist you.

comments: author: Hannah Patzer
body: Hi Ivan,   

Thanks for your prompt answer! I tried uploading the way you had described and received multiple errors as seen in the screen shot below:   

![2021-09-22_9-21-17.png](https://community.atlassian.com/t5/image/serverpage/image-id/161550iF1F57103029564F1/image-size/large?v=v2&px=999 "2021-09-22_9-21-17.png")  

Then, using the exact same files/configuration I uploaded the way I normally have been doing for CSV which is by clicking here:  
![2021-09-22_9-21-48.png](https://community.atlassian.com/t5/image/serverpage/image-id/161553i1245565C7A0F1C41/image-size/large?v=v2&px=999 "2021-09-22_9-21-48.png")  
However, as you can see I cannot select the watcher option:  

![2021-09-22_9-22-51.png](https://community.atlassian.com/t5/image/serverpage/image-id/161554i461AE0D56D04A1C2/image-size/large?v=v2&px=999 "2021-09-22_9-22-51.png")  
But besides that the upload was successful. Again using the exact same files and configuration as the failed one using the other method.  

![Snag_1631d8cb.png](https://community.atlassian.com/t5/image/serverpage/image-id/161556i8CB68C5298CD8176/image-size/large?v=v2&px=999 "Snag_1631d8cb.png")  

Any ideas on how to remedy?  

Thanks,   
Hannah


author: Ivan Lima
body: Yes. A user must be available in Jira before you can import them as a watcher. In your CSV file, the supported user types are email address and Atlassian account ID. The import issue from CSV, it's a bulk user creation, and there are limitations. To import watchers and update existing issues, you've got to use the External System Import. Try a simple CSV with one or two lines and fewer columns following the conditions I mentioned, and let us know.


author: Hannah Patzer
body: Thank you. I am struggling to fine the users Atlassian account IDs. Is there an easy way to locate them?


author: Ivan Lima
body: Yup. One way, you can go "View profile" of any user and check the URL. You should see something like

<https://YOUR_SITE.atlassian.net/jira/people/>**6046a2c\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*69459**

The ID you'll see after people/ is the Account ID.


author: Hannah Patzer
body: Thanks! I got them, but when I uploaded the CSV the external way it did not add them. This was the results:   

![2021-09-22_16-10-30.png](https://community.atlassian.com/t5/image/serverpage/image-id/161633i9F9653ADF33D464F/image-size/large?v=v2&px=999 "2021-09-22_16-10-30.png")  

I tried to do the most basic CSV upload I could to edit the additional ones: Issue Key, Summary and then the Watchers. Anything I am doing wrong still? Thank you again so much for your help. Will be a huge timesaver if we can get this to work!


author: Ivan Lima
body: Have a look at this [screen recording](https://www.loom.com/share/f3a994186cd34c46a0e9d898db3c04c7). You can replicate it and adjust it to your needs. For example, including the project - if you want to import data for multiple projects, issue key - if you want to update existing issues, etc.

I hope that helps ?


author: Hannah Patzer
body: Ah very helpful! Unfortunately, it would seem I am not privileged for external system uploads :/. Which would explain why I was having so many issues getting it to work.


Tags: cloud

csv

watcher