---
title: "How to work with standard fields"
canonical: "https://support.appfire.com/space/PSJ/15480758/How%20to%20work%20with%20standard%20fields"
format: markdown
---
> Macro (aura-html)
> Macro (excerpt)
>
> Standard fields in Jira provide access to core issue data like summary, description, and status. Standard field aliases are already created and ready for use, providing simple and direct methods to access and modify these essential values within your scripts.
> đ This information only applies to standard fields. For information on custom fields, refer to the [How to work with custom fields](https://appfire.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/PSJ/pages/15481174/How+to+work+with+custom+fields?force_transition=ed94e89c-5e53-4294-b0b6-f5a5dfadbfdf).
The examples provided here are designed to work within an issue-related context, such as a workflow script or listener. When testing outside this native context in the SIL Manager, you must add an issue key in the Run Configuration settings to provide the necessary context.
## Getting field values
| | |
| --- | --- |
| #### Example 1: Standard field retrieval
```
string oldSummary = summary;
``` | Retrieves a standard field value using its alias. |
| #### Example 2: Standard field description retrieval
```
string oldDescription = description;
``` | Accesses the description field using its predefined alias. |
---
## Setting field values
| | |
| --- | --- |
| #### Example 1: Setting the summary field
```
summary = "This was easy to set with SIL!";
``` | Sets a new value for the summary field using its alias. |
| #### Example 2: Setting the description field
```
description = "This was easy to set with SIL!";
``` | Updates the description field with new content. |
> âšī¸ For more information about accessing variables in standard fields, see [Variable types and reference methods](https://appfire.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/PSJ/pages/15485601).