Working With Records

Working with Records

Overview

This guide explains how to work with records in OpenEdge DataDigger after you have selected a database and table.

Where Interface Overview explains what each part of the screen is for, this guide focuses on what you can do with the data in the selected table.

Read the full Interface Overview documentation

The available actions are the same in both the VS Code extension and the native application unless noted otherwise.

Before You Start

Before you begin, make sure:

• DataDigger is open
• the correct context is selected
• the correct database is selected
• a table is selected

The Records Area

After you select a table, the lower part of the screen becomes the main area for working with records.

Here you can:

• review the returned rows for the selected table
• sort data by column
• filter data by column
• select one or more rows
• open the full record view for a selected row
• add a new record
• copy an existing record
• edit an existing record
• delete an existing record
• export records to a file
• import records from a file
• show and hide columns

If no records are currently shown, DataDigger prompts you to load data for the selected table.

Loading and Querying Data

DataDigger includes a query strip above the records area.

From there, you can:

• enter a WHERE condition directly
• open the query editor
• execute the current query
• clear the current query
• browse query history
• copy the generated query to the clipboard

This is useful when you want to narrow the records that are shown before you start editing or exporting data.

Viewing Records

To inspect a record more closely, select a row and open the record view.

The full record view shows the selected record in a readable field-by-field format. From there, you can:

• review all returned field values together
• copy the formatted record contents to the clipboard

This is especially useful when a row contains many fields or long values that are difficult to review in the grid.

Grid Menu Actions

The records grid also provides a filter field and context menu with actions.

Depending on where you open it and whether a row is selected, you can use actions such as:

• copy to clipboard
• add a value to the filter
• set a value as the only filter
• clear filters
• set sorting
• clear sorting
• view the selected record
• add a record
• clone a record
• edit the selected record or records
• export selected data
• load data through the import flow
• hide a column
• unhide all columns
• delete the selected record or records

More on these actions can be found in the following sections in this document.

Adding a Record

You can add a new record for the selected table.

When you do this, DataDigger opens an input dialog based on the fields of the current table. After the record is added successfully, DataDigger refreshes the data and may update the query to help you find the newly added record.

Use this when you want to create a new row directly from the DataDigger interface.

Copying an Existing Record

If you want to create a new record based on an existing one, select a single row and use the copy action.

DataDigger opens the add-record dialog with values from the selected record already filled in. Fields that must remain unique are excluded so that you can enter new values where needed.

This is useful when you need a new record that is similar to an existing one.

Editing Records

You can edit one selected record or update multiple selected records at once.

Edit a Single Record

When one row is selected, DataDigger opens the edit dialog with the current values from that record.

After you save the changes, DataDigger refreshes the grid so you can review the updated values.

Edit Multiple Records

When multiple rows are selected, DataDigger supports a multi-record edit flow.

In that case:

• fields with the same value across all selected records are shown normally
• fields with different values are marked as mixed values
• the changes you apply to records with mixed values are applied to all selected records

This is useful when you need to update the same field across multiple records in one action.

Deleting Records

You can delete one or more selected records.

Before the delete runs, DataDigger asks for confirmation. If the operation succeeds, the grid refreshes automatically.

Because this action affects live data, it should be used carefully.

Importing Data

DataDigger can load data into the selected table through the import flow.

After you choose the import action, DataDigger opens an import dialog and then sends the imported content to the backend for loading. When the import succeeds, the table data is refreshed.

Use this when you want to insert data into the current table from an external source. This can be done for one or multiple records.

Exporting Data

DataDigger can export data from the selected table.

The export flow supports working with the current table data and takes the current query into account. Depending on the export options you choose, DataDigger can also:

• work with selected rows
• use the current column visibility settings
• open the export location in VS Code
• open the exported file
• copy exported data to the clipboard

Use this when you want to save table data for analysis, sharing, or comparison. This can be done for one or multiple records.

Troubleshooting Tips

• No records are shown
  • Confirm that a table is selected.
  • Load data for the table.
  • Check whether the current query is too restrictive.
• A record action is unavailable
  • Confirm that the correct database and table are selected.
  • Confirm that you have selected one or more rows when the action requires it.
• The wrong rows are shown
  • Check the current query, sorting, and filters.
• The data is difficult to read
  • Hide columns you do not need.
  • Open the full record view for a selected row.