Editing Data
Make changes to your database records directly within Simpl.
Overview
Simpl allows inline editing of record values, with type-appropriate input controls for each field type. Changes are saved directly to your database.
Editing a field inline
Enabling Edit Mode
Clicking to Edit
In the detail view, click any editable field to enter edit mode. The field transforms into an appropriate input control.
Field before and after clicking to edit
Edit Indicators
Editable fields show a subtle hover effect indicating they can be modified.
Type-Specific Editors
Text Fields
- Single-line text input for short strings
- Multi-line textarea for longer content
- Auto-expanding based on content length
Text field editor
Number Fields
- Numeric input with appropriate precision
- Increment/decrement controls
- Validation for numeric values only
Number field editor
Boolean Fields
- Toggle switch for easy true/false selection
- Clear visual state indication
Boolean toggle switch
Date and DateTime Fields
- Calendar date picker
- Time picker for datetime fields
- Clear button to set null
Date picker open
Enum Fields
- Dropdown with all valid enum values
- Quick selection from predefined options
Enum dropdown selector
JSON Fields
- Syntax-highlighted JSON editor
- Auto-formatting on blur
- Validation for valid JSON
JSON editor
Array Fields
- Add/remove array items
- Reorder items via drag-and-drop
- Type-appropriate inputs for array elements
Array editor with items
UUID Fields
- Text input with UUID validation
- Generate new UUID button
Saving Changes
Confirm and Cancel
After making changes, you'll see action buttons:
| Button | Action |
|---|---|
| ✓ (Checkmark) | Save changes to database |
| ✕ (X) | Cancel and discard changes |
Save and cancel buttons
Keyboard Shortcuts
| Key | Action |
|---|---|
Enter | Save changes (single-line fields) |
Escape | Cancel editing |
Cmd/Ctrl + Enter | Save changes (multi-line fields) |
Success Feedback
After saving, you'll see a toast notification confirming the change.
Success toast notification
Error Handling
If a save fails, you'll see an error message explaining what went wrong:
- Database constraint violations
- Type validation errors
- Connection issues
Error toast notification
What Can Be Edited
Editable Fields
Most standard column types are editable:
- Text (varchar, text, char)
- Numbers (integer, decimal, float)
- Booleans
- Dates and timestamps
- Enums
- JSON
- Arrays
- UUIDs
Non-Editable Fields
Some fields cannot be edited:
- Primary keys - Usually auto-generated and immutable
- Serial/auto-increment columns - Managed by the database
- Computed columns - Generated by database expressions
- System columns - Internal PostgreSQL fields
Database Constraints
Validation
Simpl respects your database constraints:
- NOT NULL - Required fields must have values
- UNIQUE - Duplicate values are rejected
- CHECK constraints - Invalid values show errors
- Foreign keys - References must exist
Constraint Errors
When a constraint is violated, you'll see:
- The save fails
- An error message appears
- The field remains in edit mode
- You can fix the value or cancel
Best Practices
Verify Before Saving
Always double-check values before confirming:
- Review the change you're making
- Consider downstream effects
- Check related records if relevant
Use Detail View
For complex edits, use the detail view rather than list view for:
- Better context around the record
- Easier navigation between fields
- Clearer view of related data
Test in Development First
When making significant changes:
- Test on a development/staging database first
- Verify the changes work as expected
- Then apply to production
Audit Considerations
No Built-in Audit Trail
Simpl doesn't maintain its own audit log of changes. Consider:
- Database-level audit triggers
- Application logging
- PostgreSQL's built-in audit extensions
Who Made Changes
Changes are made using your connection's credentials. The database sees the connection user, not your Simpl user.
Bulk Editing
Currently, Simpl supports editing one field at a time. For bulk operations:
- Use SQL directly
- Consider database migration tools
- Build application-level batch operations
Current Limitations
- One field at a time - Edit and save each field individually
- No undo - Changes are immediate; no built-in rollback
- Connection permissions - Your database user must have UPDATE privileges
Next Steps
- Navigate relationships to explore connected data
- Use keyboard shortcuts for faster workflow
- Export your data for backup or analysis