# Need help in preventing removing array data saved in array column and rewriting it with new selected items **URL:** \ **Category:** Ask for Help\ **Created:** [April 15, 2024, 9:11am UTC](https://community.glideapps.com/t/need-help-in-preventing-removing-array-data-saved-in-array-column-and-rewriting-it-with-new-selected-items/72589 "2024-04-15T09:11:48Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Dilip\_Adiga](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/user_avatar/community.glideapps.com/dilip_adiga/32/60330_2.png) [@Dilip\_Adiga](https://community.glideapps.com/u/Dilip_Adiga)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2024, 6:46am UTC](https://community.glideapps.com/t/need-help-in-preventing-removing-array-data-saved-in-array-column-and-rewriting-it-with-new-selected-items/72589/21 "2024-04-16T06:46:50Z")
Hi Himaldin > **[Dilip’s video 🙉 — Tella](https://www.tella.tv/video/clv20seo000mg0fla0ami5uh6/view)** > > Video recording for work This is the video of using the app This is the template for you to try. > **[Select App](https://go.glideapps.com/template/OEbdHbS2T48OvSghCYdm-template-published?privateTemplateToken=iqlcZDwTwddjeUx7Mk1y)** Let me know if it works Regards, Dilip ---
**Author:** ![Dilip\_Adiga](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/user_avatar/community.glideapps.com/dilip_adiga/32/60330_2.png) [@Dilip\_Adiga](https://community.glideapps.com/u/Dilip_Adiga)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2024, 8:00am UTC](https://community.glideapps.com/t/need-help-in-preventing-removing-array-data-saved-in-array-column-and-rewriting-it-with-new-selected-items/72589/22 "2024-04-16T08:00:42Z")
> [@Himaladin](#): > > It looks like you’re using bulk actions. Not sure what Bulk action is , I am using normal action to copy data to campaigns. I am not using any form > [@Himaladin](#): > > However, in principle, your ‘copy to campaign’ and ‘reset’ buttons should be “adding” and “removing” arrays as discussed above. Yes its adding to my multiple files column in campaigns when I click on copy to campaign. Issue is if I try adding more its deleting the previously added data and adding only new one. As shown in the screen recording Regards, Dilip ---
**Author:** ![Himaladin](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/user_avatar/community.glideapps.com/himaladin/32/71023_2.png) [@Himaladin](https://community.glideapps.com/u/Himaladin)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2024, 8:16am UTC](https://community.glideapps.com/t/need-help-in-preventing-removing-array-data-saved-in-array-column-and-rewriting-it-with-new-selected-items/72589/23 "2024-04-16T08:16:23Z")
@Dilip_Adiga, I’m currently unable to watch your video, could you try it yourself first? What I mean by “bulk action” is an action taken after selecting multiple options. However, as a clue for you, basically, you can repeat the process of adding and removing arrays repeatedly in other tables. With this principle, you can still keep the previous selections from being deleted. Perhaps you can add a specific user column as a transitional step before a definite action to delete or add. ---
**Author:** ![Dilip\_Adiga](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/user_avatar/community.glideapps.com/dilip_adiga/32/60330_2.png) [@Dilip\_Adiga](https://community.glideapps.com/u/Dilip_Adiga)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2024, 8:56am UTC](https://community.glideapps.com/t/need-help-in-preventing-removing-array-data-saved-in-array-column-and-rewriting-it-with-new-selected-items/72589/24 "2024-04-16T08:56:21Z")
> [@Himaladin](#): > > I’m currently unable to watch your video, could you try it yourself first? Ok let me give it a try > [@Himaladin](#): > > Perhaps you can add a specific user column as a transitional step before a definite action to delete or add. Do you mean to say I add a user specific Multiple files column in user table ? Can you elaborate it a it? Sorry new to this. Because this wont work as it will change every time I move between campaigns right ? Regards, Dilip ---
**Author:** ![Himaladin](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/user_avatar/community.glideapps.com/himaladin/32/71023_2.png) [@Himaladin](https://community.glideapps.com/u/Himaladin)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2024, 9:14am UTC](https://community.glideapps.com/t/need-help-in-preventing-removing-array-data-saved-in-array-column-and-rewriting-it-with-new-selected-items/72589/25 "2024-04-16T09:14:21Z")
Forget what I said. It was just a passing thought, giving you possibilities if there are things related to the context specifically for users in managing your form as a transition before submitting. After that, through your lookup column, you can convert it into an array. ---
**Author:** ![Dilip\_Adiga](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/user_avatar/community.glideapps.com/dilip_adiga/32/60330_2.png) [@Dilip\_Adiga](https://community.glideapps.com/u/Dilip_Adiga)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2024, 9:18am UTC](https://community.glideapps.com/t/need-help-in-preventing-removing-array-data-saved-in-array-column-and-rewriting-it-with-new-selected-items/72589/26 "2024-04-16T09:18:14Z")
> [@Himaladin](#): > > context specifically for users in managing your form as a transition before submitting. I am assuming you mean Copy to campaign? But the issue of older values coming still will persist. I would need an approach like where I would need to store each result in a array column and add as and when more are added with avoiding duplicates. not sure wether there is anything I can do ti achieve this? Regards, Dilip ---
**Author:** ![Himaladin](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/user_avatar/community.glideapps.com/himaladin/32/71023_2.png) [@Himaladin](https://community.glideapps.com/u/Himaladin)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2024, 9:31am UTC](https://community.glideapps.com/t/need-help-in-preventing-removing-array-data-saved-in-array-column-and-rewriting-it-with-new-selected-items/72589/27 "2024-04-16T09:31:30Z")
If you only mean to avoid duplicates, the solution lies in filtering with conditional settings so that those items are not selected again. ---
**Author:** ![Dilip\_Adiga](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/user_avatar/community.glideapps.com/dilip_adiga/32/60330_2.png) [@Dilip\_Adiga](https://community.glideapps.com/u/Dilip_Adiga)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2024, 9:32am UTC](https://community.glideapps.com/t/need-help-in-preventing-removing-array-data-saved-in-array-column-and-rewriting-it-with-new-selected-items/72589/28 "2024-04-16T09:32:37Z")
No it’s not just avoiding duplicates. I would want older values too right? This is the part that has me in confusion. Cant think of approach to do this. Regards, Dilip ---
**Author:** ![Dilip\_Adiga](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/user_avatar/community.glideapps.com/dilip_adiga/32/60330_2.png) [@Dilip\_Adiga](https://community.glideapps.com/u/Dilip_Adiga)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2024, 9:44am UTC](https://community.glideapps.com/t/need-help-in-preventing-removing-array-data-saved-in-array-column-and-rewriting-it-with-new-selected-items/72589/29 "2024-04-16T09:44:04Z")
@Himaladin did you get confused on what I want? Regards, Dilip ---
**Author:** ![Himaladin](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/user_avatar/community.glideapps.com/himaladin/32/71023_2.png) [@Himaladin](https://community.glideapps.com/u/Himaladin)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2024, 9:53am UTC](https://community.glideapps.com/t/need-help-in-preventing-removing-array-data-saved-in-array-column-and-rewriting-it-with-new-selected-items/72589/30 "2024-04-16T09:53:46Z")
I don’t know… I’m just an AI bot, following your questions. 😄 Perhaps your application is too complex. Try simplifying it starting from your own thoughts. ---
**Author:** ![Dilip\_Adiga](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/user_avatar/community.glideapps.com/dilip_adiga/32/60330_2.png) [@Dilip\_Adiga](https://community.glideapps.com/u/Dilip_Adiga)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2024, 10:18am UTC](https://community.glideapps.com/t/need-help-in-preventing-removing-array-data-saved-in-array-column-and-rewriting-it-with-new-selected-items/72589/31 "2024-04-16T10:18:41Z")
I agree that my use case is a little complicated. I think its my lack of knowledge that might be a barrier to me thinking of solution. Thank you Anyways. Regards, Dilip ---
**Author:** ![Himaladin](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/user_avatar/community.glideapps.com/himaladin/32/71023_2.png) [@Himaladin](https://community.glideapps.com/u/Himaladin)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2024, 10:56am UTC](https://community.glideapps.com/t/need-help-in-preventing-removing-array-data-saved-in-array-column-and-rewriting-it-with-new-selected-items/72589/32 "2024-04-16T10:56:47Z")
According to your thread title, and you already know that your data is stored in an array column and how to prevent it from being deleted. It’s just about what you want. From my perspective, there should be no duplicate creators in your array. Unless you want to continue to another session, where you would certainly need to open a new sheet/row for your campaign sheet and of course, need a timestamp column as well. I am very impressed and envious of your hard work in pursuing something, this is your positive side. Good luck trying again. ---
**Author:** ![Dilip\_Adiga](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/user_avatar/community.glideapps.com/dilip_adiga/32/60330_2.png) [@Dilip\_Adiga](https://community.glideapps.com/u/Dilip_Adiga)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2024, 11:01am UTC](https://community.glideapps.com/t/need-help-in-preventing-removing-array-data-saved-in-array-column-and-rewriting-it-with-new-selected-items/72589/33 "2024-04-16T11:01:41Z")
> [@Himaladin](#): > > According to your thread title, and you already know that your data is stored in an array column and how to prevent it from being deleted. It’s just about what you want. Correct that is the use case I want to solve. But my only issue is when I clear all selection → which will happen in most of my case and add few new creators again by clicking on copy the older creators are deleted and only new ones appear in the array. Just want o prevent this. > [@Himaladin](#): > > From my perspective, there should be no duplicate creators in your array. Unless you want to continue to another session, where you would certainly need to open a new sheet/row for your campaign sheet and of course, need a timestamp column as well. **Actually it’s not about having duplicate creators, I just want some way where the** > [@Himaladin](#): > > I am very impressed and envious of your hard work in pursuing something, this is your positive side. Good luck trying again. Thank you Himaldin. I think it’s constant support from wonderful people like you , Darren, Nathan and many more that we are eager and interested to work and learn more on Glide. Regards, Dilip ---
**Author:** ![Himaladin](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/user_avatar/community.glideapps.com/himaladin/32/71023_2.png) [@Himaladin](https://community.glideapps.com/u/Himaladin)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2024, 11:27am UTC](https://community.glideapps.com/t/need-help-in-preventing-removing-array-data-saved-in-array-column-and-rewriting-it-with-new-selected-items/72589/34 "2024-04-16T11:27:05Z")
> [@Dilip\_Adiga](#): > > But my only issue is when I clear all selection → which will happen in most of my case and add few new creators again by clicking on copy the older creators are deleted and only new ones appear in the array. > > Just want o prevent this. I haven’t been able to watch your video yet. However, based on your statement, I will give you questions as a reflection material: 1. Are your copy and reset buttons still relevant for use? 2. If yes, what if all elements containing the copy and reset buttons are placed in a form? I mean, the action of deleting and copying will not actually be copied/deleted until the submit button is pressed, so you can still add your new and old values in your custom action on your submit button. I hope this helps you think clearly. ---
**Author:** ![Dilip\_Adiga](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/user_avatar/community.glideapps.com/dilip_adiga/32/60330_2.png) [@Dilip\_Adiga](https://community.glideapps.com/u/Dilip_Adiga)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2024, 3:28pm UTC](https://community.glideapps.com/t/need-help-in-preventing-removing-array-data-saved-in-array-column-and-rewriting-it-with-new-selected-items/72589/35 "2024-04-16T15:28:07Z")
> [@Himaladin](#): > > Are your copy and reset buttons still relevant for use? Yeah, its very important for me to have it. > [@Himaladin](#): > > what if all elements containing the copy and reset buttons are placed in a form? Oh you mean like a normal form? That would not work as per UX because I can have more than 1000 creators right? il have to keep searching and adding creators in large numbers Regards, Dilip ---
**Author:** ![Dilip\_Adiga](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/user_avatar/community.glideapps.com/dilip_adiga/32/60330_2.png) [@Dilip\_Adiga](https://community.glideapps.com/u/Dilip_Adiga)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2024, 3:09am UTC](https://community.glideapps.com/t/need-help-in-preventing-removing-array-data-saved-in-array-column-and-rewriting-it-with-new-selected-items/72589/36 "2024-04-17T03:09:06Z")
@Darren_Murphy Greetings! is there a way I can write my Multiple files column output to some other column type? Idea is whenever my multiple files column values are written again and again, though it gets replaced in multiple files column as such, but to other column it writes it holds the previous values whatever present. Removing any duplicates. Is there any other file type that I can write to achieve this? Thank you in advance Regards, Dilip ---
**Author:** ![Himaladin](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/user_avatar/community.glideapps.com/himaladin/32/71023_2.png) [@Himaladin](https://community.glideapps.com/u/Himaladin)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2024, 4:05am UTC](https://community.glideapps.com/t/need-help-in-preventing-removing-array-data-saved-in-array-column-and-rewriting-it-with-new-selected-items/72589/37 "2024-04-17T04:05:31Z")
@Dilip_Adiga, your video’s audio is hard to hear, so I ended up looking at a copy of your app. Please correct me if I’m wrong in understanding your workflow. From what I understand, you’re having trouble implementing the trebuchet method from your “Search Saved” sheet, right? Below, I’ve included an image that simply shows that for a new Glide, you can actually take a collection from another sheet or wrap it with a custom collection to switch sheets. With a little filter setup, you can filter as you wish. ![Screenshot 2024-04-17 at 10.24.47](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/uploads/glideapps/original/3X/e/7/e703be6a458313dcb253a3b15568a90b84137a32.jpeg) What I observed is that your 2 button actions have not implemented how to add or remove arrays. Your reset button clears the value, which will, of course, erase all previous selections. Perhaps your buttons should directly work on the creator’s side where your array column is placed and it seems not to affect what you’re doing now. Another way is I use a single value column to pull the array column from your creator’s sheet into your “search saved” sheet. From here, you can change the action of your reset button. ![Screenshot 2024-04-17 at 10.59.42](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/uploads/glideapps/original/3X/7/1/71b08d1e404ae48a964a4dca8725e4fa298b6275.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![Dilip\_Adiga](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/user_avatar/community.glideapps.com/dilip_adiga/32/60330_2.png) [@Dilip\_Adiga](https://community.glideapps.com/u/Dilip_Adiga)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2024, 4:38am UTC](https://community.glideapps.com/t/need-help-in-preventing-removing-array-data-saved-in-array-column-and-rewriting-it-with-new-selected-items/72589/38 "2024-04-17T04:38:20Z")
Thank you for the detailed reply Himaldin, I really appreciate it. > [@Himaladin](#): > > you’re having trouble implementing the trebuchet method from your “Search Saved” sheet, right? Yes you are correct , In my search saved UI, I might add creators from any searched list to same campaign. If I reset and add from other saved List it deletes the previous selected items and adds this. > [@Himaladin](#): > > Below, I’ve included an image that simply shows that for a new Glide, you can actually take a collection from another sheet or wrap it with a custom collection to switch sheets. With a little filter setup, you can filter as you wish. I didnt quite get how this will help my use case? > [@Himaladin](#): > > What I observed is that your 2 button actions have not implemented how to add I think it has been right? Array set up for selected items are present in Creators table. Which writes to user table and on press of Copy button copies selected creators from user table to Campaigns table. **(But as multiple files)** > [@Himaladin](#): > > Perhaps your buttons should directly work on the creator’s side where your array column is placed and it seems not to affect what you’re doing now. Dont you think if I work on it, my selections will be altered? Then ill not have control over data being written to campaigns table right? It would still replace the existing values in the campaign when I remove the selection and add new ones > [@Himaladin](#): > > Another way is I use a single value column to pull the array column from your creator’s sheet into your “search saved” sheet. From here, you can change the action of your reset button. I dont think this will work even if you reset values in here, According to screenshot it takes the first row of the saved query, so all saved searched will have same values as first column value. That wouldn’t work right ? Let me know if I am wrong or right. Thank you for your patience. Regards, Dilip ---
**Author:** ![Dilip\_Adiga](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/user_avatar/community.glideapps.com/dilip_adiga/32/60330_2.png) [@Dilip\_Adiga](https://community.glideapps.com/u/Dilip_Adiga)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2024, 4:39am UTC](https://community.glideapps.com/t/need-help-in-preventing-removing-array-data-saved-in-array-column-and-rewriting-it-with-new-selected-items/72589/39 "2024-04-17T04:39:41Z")
If you see my campaigns table, there is a Multiple file column with name “All selected creators” **Is there a way I can add the values present here to some column** in such a way that whenever values are replaced in this column it gets added to previous values stored in new column? Regards, Dilip ---
**Author:** ![Himaladin](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/user_avatar/community.glideapps.com/himaladin/32/71023_2.png) [@Himaladin](https://community.glideapps.com/u/Himaladin)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2024, 5:19am UTC](https://community.glideapps.com/t/need-help-in-preventing-removing-array-data-saved-in-array-column-and-rewriting-it-with-new-selected-items/72589/40 "2024-04-17T05:19:53Z")
> [@Dilip\_Adiga](#): > > **Is there a way I can add the values present here to some column** in such a way that whenever values are replaced in this column it gets added to previous values stored in new column? Yes, essentially you can pull arrays into all tables using the “single value” column that I showed earlier. I’m currently out and about. If you’re willing to try tweaking the button actions and columns from various angles, or creating a set of double value columns, I’m sure it can work. The key is, your “selectedCreators” array column hasn’t been utilized yet. This column is the one that will store the complete data, while you can wait for @Darren_Murphy for the time being. [Previous page](https://community.glideapps.com/t/need-help-in-preventing-removing-array-data-saved-in-array-column-and-rewriting-it-with-new-selected-items/72589.md?page=1) [Next page](https://community.glideapps.com/t/need-help-in-preventing-removing-array-data-saved-in-array-column-and-rewriting-it-with-new-selected-items/72589.md?page=3)