# Getting multiple data items to update from a form **URL:** \ **Category:** Ask for Help\ **Created:** [January 5, 2025, 4:08pm UTC](https://community.glideapps.com/t/getting-multiple-data-items-to-update-from-a-form/78977 "2025-01-05T16:08:07Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Paul\_Nixon](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/user_avatar/community.glideapps.com/paul_nixon/32/83695_2.png) [@Paul\_Nixon](https://community.glideapps.com/u/Paul_Nixon)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2025, 4:08pm UTC](https://community.glideapps.com/t/getting-multiple-data-items-to-update-from-a-form/78977/1 "2025-01-05T16:08:07Z")
Hi Glide Community I’ve just started using Glide and am very impressed. I’ve started on my first app but am stuck. Apologies if this is a rookie error but help would be much appreciated! Context - I am building an app to help the Ukrainian refugee community that I support, to select donated furniture when they move into their own houses. They start with the Category menu page and select which category of items they are looking for: ![App images - categories](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/uploads/glideapps/original/3X/9/3/93059c585504f66cd0c513e0a328225c9daa8d2c.jpeg) For example, “Bedroom furniture”. This results in a detail page of Bedroom furniture items: ![App images - bedroom furniture category](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/uploads/glideapps/original/3X/b/b/bbdbd4375984bec76f6240ee4b0565800b488b39.jpeg) You can see that each item has an Item-status shown (e.g. Available, Reserved, Taken, Delivered etc.). They then select an item: ![App images - Item page - Bedside drawers](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/uploads/glideapps/original/3X/c/f/cff81f1ec8353b61a9fb0fc48d2613b7da975fcd.jpeg) When an item has an Item status of “Available”, 3 actions are possible: “Take”, “Reserve” and “Deliver” – you can see these buttons at the foot of the page. I am trying (and failing) to program the correct actions for these buttons where a form will be displayed. For example, for the “Reserve” button, I want to capture the name of the person who the item will be reserved for AND then update the Item-status to “Reserved”. When this button is clicked the following form appears: ![App images - Item page - Reserve button form filled2](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/uploads/glideapps/original/3X/4/a/4ac0b777142e2e3182669b8b4a3b160a87cf1399.jpeg) I enter the name in the “Reserved by” field and Submit. Note that in the bottom right I have set the Item-status to be “Reserved “. I want the “Reserved by” cell to have the field value entered from the form i.e. “Nadiia Z”. However, the Item page is redisplayed and neither of the data fields are updated. ![App images - Item page - Reserve button form - post Submit with data](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/uploads/glideapps/original/3X/0/b/0bfbb8d3ffc69b658225b8ee9e555605f183eec5.jpeg) What am I doing wrong? Thanks in advance for your help! Paul ---
**Author:** ![MaximeBaker](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/user_avatar/community.glideapps.com/maximebaker/32/80877_2.png) [@MaximeBaker](https://community.glideapps.com/u/MaximeBaker)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2025, 4:51pm UTC](https://community.glideapps.com/t/getting-multiple-data-items-to-update-from-a-form/78977/2 "2025-01-05T16:51:30Z")
You are adding a new item, not editing the item itself by setting the column value. ---
**Author:** ![MaximeBaker](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/user_avatar/community.glideapps.com/maximebaker/32/80877_2.png) [@MaximeBaker](https://community.glideapps.com/u/MaximeBaker)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2025, 4:53pm UTC](https://community.glideapps.com/t/getting-multiple-data-items-to-update-from-a-form/78977/3 "2025-01-05T16:53:16Z")
I suggest you to create a workflow containing a new screen (action). Create a helper table containing only the fields you need (set these Columns as user-specifics). Add a single empty row. Then it that new screen, add the fields you need to fill. Add a button that will trigger another workflow: 1- Set columns value on the reservation row 2- Clear columns value of the helper table ---
**Author:** ![Paul\_Nixon](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/user_avatar/community.glideapps.com/paul_nixon/32/83695_2.png) [@Paul\_Nixon](https://community.glideapps.com/u/Paul_Nixon)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2025, 4:59pm UTC](https://community.glideapps.com/t/getting-multiple-data-items-to-update-from-a-form/78977/4 "2025-01-05T16:59:24Z")
So how do I edit an existing item? ---
**Author:** ![MaximeBaker](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/user_avatar/community.glideapps.com/maximebaker/32/80877_2.png) [@MaximeBaker](https://community.glideapps.com/u/MaximeBaker)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2025, 4:59pm UTC](https://community.glideapps.com/t/getting-multiple-data-items-to-update-from-a-form/78977/5 "2025-01-05T16:59:57Z")
Use the set column value action. ---
**Author:** ![MaximeBaker](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/user_avatar/community.glideapps.com/maximebaker/32/80877_2.png) [@MaximeBaker](https://community.glideapps.com/u/MaximeBaker)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2025, 5:01pm UTC](https://community.glideapps.com/t/getting-multiple-data-items-to-update-from-a-form/78977/6 "2025-01-05T17:01:04Z")
Or you could keep track of all submissions in a new table, use a form container to add rows in that table. But add an onsubmit action that will set the column value of the specific item in the main table. ---
**Author:** ![Paul\_Nixon](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/user_avatar/community.glideapps.com/paul_nixon/32/83695_2.png) [@Paul\_Nixon](https://community.glideapps.com/u/Paul_Nixon)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2025, 5:02pm UTC](https://community.glideapps.com/t/getting-multiple-data-items-to-update-from-a-form/78977/7 "2025-01-05T17:02:36Z")
Thanks Maxime, I’ll investigate trhose suggestions. Much appreciated!!! Paul ---
**Author:** ![MaximeBaker](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/user_avatar/community.glideapps.com/maximebaker/32/80877_2.png) [@MaximeBaker](https://community.glideapps.com/u/MaximeBaker)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2025, 5:03pm UTC](https://community.glideapps.com/t/getting-multiple-data-items-to-update-from-a-form/78977/8 "2025-01-05T17:03:17Z")
If you need further help, don’t hesitate! ---
**Author:** ![Paul\_Nixon](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/user_avatar/community.glideapps.com/paul_nixon/32/83695_2.png) [@Paul\_Nixon](https://community.glideapps.com/u/Paul_Nixon)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2025, 5:57pm UTC](https://community.glideapps.com/t/getting-multiple-data-items-to-update-from-a-form/78977/9 "2025-01-05T17:57:44Z")
Hi Maxime, is there training that you would recommend that takes me to the next level beyond the free 7 or 8 introductory Glide videos? ---
**Author:** ![MaximeBaker](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/user_avatar/community.glideapps.com/maximebaker/32/80877_2.png) [@MaximeBaker](https://community.glideapps.com/u/MaximeBaker)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2025, 5:58pm UTC](https://community.glideapps.com/t/getting-multiple-data-items-to-update-from-a-form/78977/10 "2025-01-05T17:58:21Z")
Everything in the Glide University! ---
**Author:** ![MaximeBaker](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/user_avatar/community.glideapps.com/maximebaker/32/80877_2.png) [@MaximeBaker](https://community.glideapps.com/u/MaximeBaker)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2025, 5:58pm UTC](https://community.glideapps.com/t/getting-multiple-data-items-to-update-from-a-form/78977/11 "2025-01-05T17:58:45Z")
Sorry, link didn’t went thru: > **[University](https://learn.glideapps.com/)** ---
**Author:** ![ThinhDinh](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/user_avatar/community.glideapps.com/thinhdinh/32/49_2.png) [@ThinhDinh](https://community.glideapps.com/u/ThinhDinh)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2025, 11:23pm UTC](https://community.glideapps.com/t/getting-multiple-data-items-to-update-from-a-form/78977/12 "2025-01-05T23:23:58Z")
> [@MaximeBaker](#): > > I suggest you to create a workflow containing a new screen (action). > Create a helper table containing only the fields you need (set these Columns as user-specifics). Add a single empty row. > Then it that new screen, add the fields you need to fill. > Add a button that will trigger another workflow: > 1- Set columns value on the reservation row > 2- Clear columns value of the helper table Why do you need a helper table here though? Wouldn’t a set column value in the same row be enough? I imagine a confirmation screen that is a “Show New Screen” \> overlay action on the same row, then write some text like: “Are you sure you want to reserve this item?”. A button block would contain two actions: Cancel would close the overlay, Confirm would set the signed-in user’s ID (not name, to make sure it’s unique) to the “reserved by” column. ---
**Author:** ![MaximeBaker](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/user_avatar/community.glideapps.com/maximebaker/32/80877_2.png) [@MaximeBaker](https://community.glideapps.com/u/MaximeBaker)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2025, 11:53pm UTC](https://community.glideapps.com/t/getting-multiple-data-items-to-update-from-a-form/78977/13 "2025-01-05T23:53:23Z")
> [@ThinhDinh](#): > > Why do you need a helper table here though? Wouldn’t a set column value in the same row be enough? That is a good point. Well, the edit form screen of the items table is probably already use to edit the actual item. So If you use a “show new screen” action to show a form that a user can fill additional data, the helper table is required. But if you are only getting the user id, yes, doing what you said would work. I think that @Paul_Nixon want (correct me if I am wrong) to allow refugees to reserve for other refugees. Or allow other people to also reserve something for a refugee. ---
**Author:** ![ThinhDinh](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/user_avatar/community.glideapps.com/thinhdinh/32/49_2.png) [@ThinhDinh](https://community.glideapps.com/u/ThinhDinh)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2025, 12:01am UTC](https://community.glideapps.com/t/getting-multiple-data-items-to-update-from-a-form/78977/14 "2025-01-06T00:01:32Z")
> [@MaximeBaker](#): > > So If you use a “show new screen” action to show a form that a user can fill additional data, the helper table is required. I don’t understand this part. You don’t need an edit screen, the set column values should be enough to alter the “reserved by” column. If Paul needs user A to reserve for user B, he can have a user-specific column to hold the temporary user ID, then on a button click, set that to the “reserved by” column. ---
**Author:** ![MaximeBaker](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/user_avatar/community.glideapps.com/maximebaker/32/80877_2.png) [@MaximeBaker](https://community.glideapps.com/u/MaximeBaker)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2025, 12:04am UTC](https://community.glideapps.com/t/getting-multiple-data-items-to-update-from-a-form/78977/15 "2025-01-06T00:04:38Z")
> [@ThinhDinh](#): > > I don’t understand this part. You don’t need an edit screen, the set column values should be enough to alter the “reserved by” column. I didn’t say edit screen… 🤔 ---
**Author:** ![MaximeBaker](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/user_avatar/community.glideapps.com/maximebaker/32/80877_2.png) [@MaximeBaker](https://community.glideapps.com/u/MaximeBaker)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2025, 12:06am UTC](https://community.glideapps.com/t/getting-multiple-data-items-to-update-from-a-form/78977/16 "2025-01-06T00:06:50Z")
> [@ThinhDinh](#): > > If Paul needs user A to reserve for user B, he can have a user-specific column to hold the temporary user ID, then on a button click, set that to the “reserved by” column. That would work too, but what if he needs that for multiple data? Would it be one new user-specific column per field? I would say yes.? Edit screen or new screen in that case? New screen still right? ---
**Author:** ![ThinhDinh](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/user_avatar/community.glideapps.com/thinhdinh/32/49_2.png) [@ThinhDinh](https://community.glideapps.com/u/ThinhDinh)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2025, 12:14am UTC](https://community.glideapps.com/t/getting-multiple-data-items-to-update-from-a-form/78977/17 "2025-01-06T00:14:35Z")
> [@MaximeBaker](#): > > Well, the edit form screen of the items table is probably already use to edit the actual item. I was doubling down on what you said here. > [@MaximeBaker](#): > > That would work too, but what if he needs that for multiple data? Would it be one new user-specific column per field? I would say yes.? Yes, I don’t know what his intention is when he has 3 buttons, but if he has 3 columns for “taken by”, “reserved by” and “delivered by”, for example, then that’s a direction he can go. The new screen is more for aesthetic to be honest, with the easier to set up button block. The edit screen leaves you with the default cancel/submit button, and as you said, probably he would reserve it for the actual edit of the item. ---
**Author:** ![MaximeBaker](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/user_avatar/community.glideapps.com/maximebaker/32/80877_2.png) [@MaximeBaker](https://community.glideapps.com/u/MaximeBaker)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2025, 12:36am UTC](https://community.glideapps.com/t/getting-multiple-data-items-to-update-from-a-form/78977/18 "2025-01-06T00:36:05Z")
> [@ThinhDinh](#): > > I was doubling down on what you said here. Yes that is why I talked about new screen right after 🙂 > [@ThinhDinh](#): > > Yes, I don’t know what his intention is when he has 3 buttons, but if he has 3 columns for “taken by”, “reserved by” and “delivered by”, for example, then that’s a direction he can go. Gotcha! > [@ThinhDinh](#): > > The edit screen leaves you with the default cancel/submit button, and as you said, probably he would reserve it for the actual edit of the item That is what I tried to say there ah ah​:joy:😂: > [@MaximeBaker](#): > > Well, the edit form screen of the items table is probably already use to edit the actual item. Sorry if it wasn’t clear 😂😂 ---
**Author:** ![Paul\_Nixon](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/user_avatar/community.glideapps.com/paul_nixon/32/83695_2.png) [@Paul\_Nixon](https://community.glideapps.com/u/Paul_Nixon)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2025, 11:57am UTC](https://community.glideapps.com/t/getting-multiple-data-items-to-update-from-a-form/78977/19 "2025-01-06T11:57:55Z")
Thanks to both of you - I cracked it! Really appreciate the time you have both spent answering this and advice given!! ---
**Author:** ![Paul\_Nixon](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/user_avatar/community.glideapps.com/paul_nixon/32/83695_2.png) [@Paul\_Nixon](https://community.glideapps.com/u/Paul_Nixon)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2025, 11:58am UTC](https://community.glideapps.com/t/getting-multiple-data-items-to-update-from-a-form/78977/20 "2025-01-06T11:58:31Z")
Thanks so much for your help!!! Cracked it!!