Creating a board with sample data in Jira

Jira comes with a built-in sample project that lets you create a working board without setting up real tasks first. When you start a new Jira instance or workspace, you can select a sample project template, and Jira automatically populates it with example issues, sprints, and team members. This gives you a board you can actually use right away — to learn how columns work, how to move cards between statuses, how filters function, and how reports display data.

The sample data stays in your workspace until you delete the project. You can modify it, add to it, or leave it as-is while you build your real projects alongside it. Many teams keep a sample board running for training new members or testing workflow changes before explore them to active work.

Key Takeaways

  • Jira's sample projects come pre-loaded with example issues, sprints, and team members so you can see a working board when ready.
  • You create a sample board by selecting a project template during setup or by creating a new project and choosing a sample template from the list.
  • Sample data includes different issue types, statuses, and assignees so you can test how your team's workflow will actually look.
  • You can modify sample issues, add your own tasks, or delete the entire sample project without affecting your real work.

Creating a new project with sample data

Start by logging into your Jira workspace and clicking the Projects menu at the top. Select Create project. Jira will show you a list of project templates — look for templates labeled as samples or examples. The most common ones are Kanban (for continuous workflow) and Scrum (for sprint-based work).

Choose the template that matches how your team works. Click it, then name your project something like "Sample Board" or "Training Project" so you remember it is not your live work. Jira will create the project and automatically fill it with example issues. You will see a board with cards already in different columns, assigned to team members, and labeled with different priorities.

The sample data appears when ready — you do not have to wait for anything to load or configure anything first. Your board is ready to use right away.

What sample data includes

A Jira sample project typically contains 10 to 20 example issues spread across different statuses. You might see tasks labeled "To Do," "In Progress," and "Done," with some issues assigned to fictional team members and others unassigned. Each issue has a title, a description, a priority level (like High, Medium, or Low), and sometimes attachments or comments.

If you chose a Scrum template, the sample data also includes a sprint with a start date and end date, so you can see how sprints appear on your board and in reports. If you chose Kanban, the issues flow continuously without sprint boundaries. The sample also includes different issue types — you might see "Story," "Task," "Bug," and "Subtask" all represented, so you understand how Jira organizes different kinds of work.

Modifying sample issues and adding your own

Click any sample issue card to open it. You can change the title, description, assignee, priority, or status just like you would with a real task. Drag cards between columns to move them through your workflow. Add comments to test how team communication works on a task. Create new issues by clicking Create issue and filling in the details — these will sit alongside the sample data.

You can also delete individual sample issues if you want to clear the board gradually. Right-click a card or open the issue and look for a delete option (usually in a menu marked with three dots). The sample data is yours to change, so treat it as a sandbox where nothing breaks.

Using sample data to test workflows and reports

Sample data is most useful for testing how your actual workflow will look before you start real work. Move cards through your columns to see if your statuses make sense. Check your board's reports — Jira includes burndown charts, velocity reports, and issue counts that all pull from your sample data. This shows you what reports will look like once you have real issues.

If you are training a new team member, have them practice on the sample board first. They can create issues, assign tasks, move cards, and add comments without affecting any live work. Once they understand how the board works, they can move to your real projects with confidence.

Deleting the sample project when you are done

When you no longer need the sample board, delete it by opening the project settings. Look for Project settings in the left sidebar, then scroll to the bottom and select Delete project. Jira will ask you to confirm — type the project name to verify you want to remove it. The sample project and all its data will be deleted permanently, but your real projects will remain untouched.

You can also keep the sample project running indefinitely if you use it regularly for training or testing. There is no cost to keeping it, and it does not interfere with your active work.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use sample data in my real project, or do I have to delete it?

You can leave sample data in your real project and work around it, but most teams delete it first to keep their board clean. If you have already created a project with sample data and want to remove it, you can delete issues one at a time or delete the entire project and start fresh.

Does Jira charge extra for sample projects?

No. Sample projects count toward your project limit in Jira, but they do not cost extra. If you have a limit of 10 projects, a sample project uses one of those slots. Delete it when you no longer need it to free up space.

Can I export sample data or use it as a template for other projects?

Jira does not have a built-in export for sample data, but you can manually recreate issues in another project by copying the titles and descriptions. For a faster approach, create a new project from the same template — it will come with the same sample data, which you can then customize for your needs.

What if I accidentally delete an important sample issue?

Jira does not have an undo button for deleted issues, but since sample data is not real work, you can straightforward delete the entire sample project and create a new one with fresh sample data. If you deleted a single issue by mistake, recreate it manually with the same title and description.