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Bug Report Template (Free Download)

A tool-neutral bug report template that works in Excel or maps straight into Jira, with a filled example.

FreeNo sign-upUsed in our classes
.xlsx · 8 KB · Works in Excel and Google Sheets, with Jira-ready fields
bug-report-template.xlsxSheet 1 · 10 columns
fxPay button stays disabled after a valid UPI ID
ABCD
1Bug IDTitleSeverityStatus
2BUG-214Pay button stays disabled after a valid UPI IDHighOpen
3BUG-215Cart total ignores coupon on refreshMediumRetest
4BUG-216Profile photo upload fails above 2 MBLowFixed
5BUG-217Search returns no results for Hindi textHighNew
6BUG-218OTP email arrives after it expiresCriticalClosed

What a bug report includes

Ten fields make a bug report a developer can act on. Here’s what goes in each, with an example.

Bug IDA unique ID for tracking.BUG-214
TitleThe problem in one line, specific and searchable.Pay button stays disabled after a valid UPI ID
SeverityHow badly it affects users.High
PriorityHow soon it must be fixed.P1
EnvironmentDevice, OS, browser and build number.Android 14 · Chrome · build 3.8.1
Steps to reproduceNumbered steps anyone can follow.1. Add item 2. Checkout 3. Enter UPI ID
Expected resultWhat should happen.Pay button becomes active
Actual resultWhat happens instead.Pay button stays disabled
AttachmentsScreenshots, a screen recording or logs.screen-recording.mp4
StatusWhere the bug is in its life cycle.Open

Bug report example: checkout and search

Five real-style bugs at different stages, from new to closed.

NewOpenRetestFixedClosed
bug-log-sprint-12.xlsxSheet 1 · 10 columns
fxNew
ABCD
1Bug IDTitleSeverityStatus
2BUG-214Pay button stays disabled after a valid UPI IDHighOpen
3BUG-215Cart total ignores coupon on refreshMediumRetest
4BUG-216Profile photo upload fails above 2 MBLowFixed
5BUG-217Search returns no results for Hindi textHighNew
6BUG-218OTP email arrives after it expiresCriticalClosed

How to write a bug report developers can fix

One bug, clear steps, proof attached.

  1. One bug per reportSplit combined problems, so each bug can be fixed, retested and closed on its own.
  2. Write steps anyone can repeatStart from a known state and number every action. If a developer can’t reproduce it, it won’t get fixed.
  3. State expected vs actualSay what should happen and what happens instead, in plain words.
  4. Add the environmentDevice, OS, browser and build number: bugs often appear in only one of them.
  5. Attach proofA screenshot, a short screen recording or the console log saves a round of questions.

Severity vs priority

Severity is about impact. Priority is about urgency. They’re set separately.

Answers: how bad is it?

Severity

How badly the bug affects the system or users. Usually set by the tester.

Example: OTP email arrives after it expires: critical, users can’t sign in.
Answers: how soon must it be fixed?

Priority

The order the team fixes bugs in, based on business need. Usually set by the product owner or lead.

Example: A typo in the homepage headline: low severity, but high priority before a launch.

FAQs

A record of a defect: what happened, how to reproduce it, and what should have happened.

One bug per report, repeatable steps, expected vs actual, the environment and proof.

Yes. Jira is widely used to log and track bugs.

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Test case templateExcel · Google SheetsGet it freeTest plan templateWord · Google DocsGet it freeSoftware testing MCQInstant score + explanationsStart the quiz

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