While working with a web-based database you usually use edit forms to modify record values. The Edit form is an obvious and simple way to change your data, but it’s not always flexible enough. For example, you may encounter difficulties if the form is too long, so it’s hard to find a field you need. Moreover, while using an edit form you can’t change multiple records at a time. Therefore we recommend some additional features that can streamline data editing process.
Edit on a record preview form
The easiest way to edit fields in a record is modifying values directly on a View form. When you double-click on a value displayed on the View form, the field will be switched to the edit mode. As a result, you can modify only those fields you need at the current moment. Then you can save or discard these changes. Please notice that a preview form obeys to the adjusted Form Behavior. It means that only if a column is editable according to the form behavior settings, a user is allowed to edit that column.
Inline edit
Inline Edit feature allows making changes in multiple fields within a single record directly in a table view without using a record edit form. You can activate an Inline Edit feature in “table view” settings. We recommend to apply this option to Details Views. For instance, if you need to add or change multiple invoice items related to an invoice, then an Inline Edit feature should be activated in the Related Items details view.
The feature also complies with the form behavior settings like the preview form.
Custom buttons
Custom buttons is a useful tool for data editing. For example, a Preview page (or a Table view) button allows specifying which fields you may need to edit, so they can be displayed for updating. For example, if you need to change the Payments Info fields in a client profile, you should specify these fields in the Preview page button (or a Table view button) settings. Furthermore, you have to make sure that the Payment Info column/columns are editable according to the adjusted form behavior.
To update column values in multiple records, the Multi-record custom button could be helpful as it allows specifying records and modifying values in selected records at once.
You may also add assignments to any custom button. Each assignment updates a specified column value when a custom button is pressed. For example, you manage customer orders. When an order is complete, you click on the “Complete” custom button and the Status column values are set to “Complete” for selected rows.
Moreover, custom buttons can trigger actions such as “record update”, “record create” or “email alert”. The action may include assignments. Depending on the action, you can edit record values, create new records or send email alerts.
Using some of the above-mentioned features would make data-editing process handier. Validation rules always validate values prior to submission; therefore only records comprising valid data can be saved.
