Dimensions are the building blocks of board configuration. Learn how to add, configure, reorder, and move dimensions between sections.
About dimensions
A dimension is a Jira field used to organise cards on your board. Dimensions can be added to three sections:
- Vertical swimlanes — Creates vertical columns
- Horizontal swimlanes — Creates horizontal rows
- Grouping — Creates collapsible card clusters
Unlimited nesting
Board Studio places no limit on the number of dimensions you can add to any section. You can freely combine:
- Multiple vertical swimlane dimensions (nested columns)
- Multiple horizontal swimlane dimensions (nested rows)
- Multiple grouping dimensions (nested groups)
- Any combination across all three sections
This flexibility allows you to create deeply hierarchical board layouts that match your team’s exact planning needs — from simple single-dimension views to complex multi-level matrices.
Add a dimension
- In the sidebar, expand Board Structure
- Expand the section where you want to add the dimension
- Select Add dimension
- Choose a Jira field from the dropdown
The board updates immediately to reflect the new organisation.
Available fields
The dropdown shows all fields available in your current data source, organised into:
- System fields — Status, Priority, Assignee, Sprint, Work Item Type, and other standard Jira fields
- Custom fields — Team, Epic Link, Story Points, and any custom fields configured in your spaces
Dimension controls
Each dimension row displays controls for configuration:
| Control | Icon | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Drag handle | ⋮⋮ | Grab to reorder or move to another section |
| Field selector | — | Change the Jira field for this dimension |
| Sort direction | ↑ / ↓ | Toggle between ascending and descending order |
| Start position | — | Set where values begin (top/bottom or left/right) |
| Delete | 🗑 | Remove the dimension from the section |
Sort direction
Controls how values are ordered:
| Direction | Behaviour |
|---|---|
| Ascending (↑) | A→Z, lowest→highest, oldest→newest |
| Descending (↓) | Z→A, highest→lowest, newest→oldest |
Select the sort icon to toggle direction.
Start position
Controls where the sequence begins on the board:
| Section | Options |
|---|---|
| Vertical swimlanes | Left or Right |
| Horizontal swimlanes | Top or Bottom |
Reorder dimensions
When a section has multiple dimensions, they form a hierarchy. The first dimension is the primary grouping; subsequent dimensions subdivide within it.
To change the order:
- Grab the dimension by its drag handle (⋮⋮)
- Drag up or down within the section
- Release to set the new position
The board updates with a smooth animation to show the new hierarchy.
Move dimensions between sections
You can move a dimension from one section to another using drag and drop:
- Grab the dimension by its drag handle
- Drag it to a different section header (for example, from Vertical swimlanes to Grouping)
- Release to complete the move
The dimension:
- Retains its field selection
- Retains its sort direction
- Now applies the behaviour of the new section type
Remove a dimension
- Hover over the dimension row
- Select the delete icon (🗑)
- The dimension is removed and the board updates
Multi-level hierarchies
Add multiple dimensions to create hierarchical organisation:
Example: Two vertical swimlane dimensions
The first dimension (Sprint) creates the primary columns; the second dimension (Team) subdivides each column.