---
title: "Understanding Bulk Edit"
slug: "understanding-bulk-edit"
updated: 2025-09-14T14:29:20Z
published: 2025-09-14T14:29:20Z
canonical: "documentation.encodify.com/understanding-bulk-edit"
---

> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://documentation.encodify.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Understanding Bulk Edit

## Overview

---

**Bulk Editing Metadata** allows you to update multiple items simultaneously, saving time and ensuring consistency. Instead of editing each item individually, you can apply changes to a group of items in one step. This is particularly useful when standardising metadata across several records or making recurring updates efficiently.

## Understanding Bulk Edit

---

> [!WARNING]
> **Note:** A user will need to have Read, Edit and Bulk Edit access to be able to edit metadata in bulk.

### Where to find Bulk Edit

**Bulk Operations** allow you to perform actions on multiple items simultaneously, directly from a [workspace](/v1/docs/workspaces) or [module view](/v1/docs/module-views). To get started, select the items you want to work with. Once selected, the **Bulk Operations toolbar** will appear at the top of the screen.

After you have selected all items you wish to edit, the ![](https://cdn.document360.io/3a63e0a8-1221-4570-aaa1-d43f9b95a612/Images/Documentation/Screenshot 2025-09-14 at 13.29.08.png) **Bulk Edit** button in the toolbar will become active. If any of the selected items are read-only or you lack the required permissions, the button will remain disabled.

### Bulk Edit Wizard

After clicking the ![](https://cdn.document360.io/3a63e0a8-1221-4570-aaa1-d43f9b95a612/Images/Documentation/Screenshot 2025-09-14 at 13.29.08.png) **Bulk Edit** button, you will be redirected to the Bulk Edit Wizard. On the left, you will see a filtered list of the items you selected for editing. On the right, the item form will be displayed, allowing you to update fields for all selected items at once. Before the final confirmation, the **Preview Changes** screen will show exactly the fields to be affected by the Bulk Edit operation.

The table below provides a quick overview of the Bulk Edit Wizard.

| Action | Guide |
| --- | --- |
| **Step 1 – Make Changes** Update the fields as required in the form. You will have the option to reset any edits you have made or proceed to the next stage once ready. | ![Bulk edit interface displaying job numbers, names, and collection details for updates.](https://cdn.document360.io/3a63e0a8-1221-4570-aaa1-d43f9b95a612/Images/Documentation/Bulk Edit.png) |
| **Step 2 – Preview Changes** Review a summary of the updates before they are applied. This stage allows you to validate exactly which fields and items will be affected. | ![Preview changes for bulk editing job numbers and collection names in a management interface.](https://cdn.document360.io/3a63e0a8-1221-4570-aaa1-d43f9b95a612/Images/Documentation/Before confirm.png) |
| **Step 3 – Save Changes** Confirm and save your edits. A progress indicator will display while the updates are applied. Once complete, you may choose to make further changes if required. | ![Bulk edit interface showing job numbers and status updates for two items.](https://cdn.document360.io/3a63e0a8-1221-4570-aaa1-d43f9b95a612/Images/Documentation/Bulk Edit completed.png) |

### Important Notes

Before enabling **Bulk Edit**, please note the following:

- Some fields may be empty, while others can be prefilled based on module configuration.
- **Only fields you change will be updated**; untouched fields remain unaffected.
- A field **will be changed and saved** if:
  - It was initially empty and you enter a new value.
  - It has an autofill/prefill mechanism and is updated indirectly by editing a parent field.
- A field **will be skipped** (even if it appears changed) if:
  - It had different existing values across items, shown as empty in Bulk Edit, and you do not edit it.
  - It was prefilled when the Bulk Edit form opened and you do not change it.
- Fields with **Do Not Allow Duplicates** are not shown in the Bulk Edit form.