# Using Bulk Object Record Actions

You can use the bulk editing options to make changes on up to 1,000 object records at once. You can edit object record field values, delete object records, or change the state of object records that are in object lifecycles.




<div class="note-border alert-info">
  <div class="alert alert-info" role="alert">
    <div><i class="far fa-info-circle"></i></div>
    <div class="alert-text">
      <p><strong>Note</strong>: This is available to users with a security profile that includes the <strong>Object</strong>: <strong>Bulk Action</strong> permission. See <a href="/en/gr/33725/#security">security details</a> below.</p>
    </div>
  </div>
</div>



## How to Select Object Records {#select}

To select object records for a bulk action:

  1. You can work with object records from **Business Admin > Objects**. Some Vaults also include <a href="/en/gr/23516/">custom object tabs</a> that allow access to records outside the **Admin** and **Business Admin** tab collections.
  2. Use search or filters to narrow down the list of records. Once you've started the bulk editing process, you can deselect individual records, but you can only search at this stage.
  3. From the Actions menu, choose **Perform Bulk Action**. This will select all records visible on the current page.
  4. From the **Refine Selection** page, review the list of selected records and deselect any that you do not want to include in the bulk edit.
  5. Click **Next**. See below for help on the various bulk options.

### Select Objects from Reports

Selecting objects from a report is especially useful if you're editing many object records. In this situation, create a report with a filter that specifies the desired records. Note that you can only edit records on one object at a time. If the report is grouped, you must expand the grouping to select the records.

To select report objects for a bulk action:

  1. Run a tabular (not matrix) report that returns objects. These reports will have a report type like _Product with Campaign_ or _Case Responses_.
  2. From the section's **All Actions** menu above the list of records, choose **Perform Bulk Action**.
  3. In the _Select Object_ dialog, select the object to perform an action on.
  4. Click **Continue**.
  5. From the _Refine Selection_ page, review the list of selected documents and deselect any that you do not want to include in the bulk edit.
  6. Click **Next**. See below for help on the various bulk options.

## How to Update Object Fields {#updatefields}

To update object fields, you must have the <a href="/en/gr/22824/#object-permissions">**Objects: Edit** permission</a> on the selected object records.

See [above][4] for information on how to select object records for editing. To update the fields after selection:

  1. From the **Choose Action** page, select **Edit Fields**.
  2. Click **Next**.
  3. On the **Edit Fields** page, Vault displays all <a href="/en/gr/18769/">editable fields on the selected object records</a>. Fields that are inactive or require unique values are not available for bulk editing.
  4. Edit a field value across all object records by clicking the **Edit field** (pencil) icon and entering the new value. If the field is already populated on a record, this new value will replace the existing value. If you edit the field, but leave it empty, Vault will clear the field across all selected records.
  5. Optional: Reset a field to its existing values by clicking the **Revert** (circular arrow) icon.
  6. Click **Next**.
  7. From the **Confirmation** page, review the summary of changes.
  8. Click **Finish**. Vault processes the records [asynchronously][6].

## How to Delete Object Records {#recorddelete}

To delete object records, you must have the <a href="/en/gr/22824/#object-permissions">**Objects: Delete** permission</a> on the selected object records.

See [above][4] for information on how to select object records for deletion. To delete the records after selection:

  1. From the **Choose Action** page, select **Delete Records**.
  2. Click **Next** to open the **Confirmation** page and review the summary of object records you chose for deletion. This action cannot be reversed. Note that <a href="/en/gr/18769/#limitations-on-object-record-deletion">certain situations may prevent you from deleting object records</a>.
  3. Click **Finish**. Vault processes the records [asynchronously][6].

## How to Change Object Record States {#recordstates}

To change the state of object records, you must have the <a href="/en/gr/22824/#object-permissions">**Objects: Edit** permission</a> on the selected object records. You can only change the state of records that are in the same lifecycle state, so Vault displays only the <a href="/en/gr/29798/#object-permissions">available states by lifecycle and state</a>.

See [above][4] for information on how to select object records for bulk state change. To change the records to another state after selection:

  1. From the **Choose Action** page, select **Change State**.
  2. Click **Next**.
  3. On the **Choose State Change** page, select the new state for your object records.
  4. Click **Next** to open the **Confirmation** page. Review the summary of changes before moving on.
  5. Click **Finish**. Vault processes the records [asynchronously][6].

## How to Create Placeholders from EDL Items {#placeholders}

You can create up to 1,000 placeholders for a set of _EDL Item_ records.  For each _EDL Item_, Vault creates one or more placeholders based on the difference between the _\# Expected_ and the _All Document Count_ field values. Vault uses fields on the _EDL Item_ record as <a href="/en/gr/32749/#placeholders">defaults for similar document fields</a> on the created placeholders.

  1. From the **Choose Action** page, select **Create Placeholders**.
  2. Click **Next** to open the **Confirmation** page. Review the summary of changes before moving on.
  3. Click **Finish**. Vault processes the records [asynchronously][6].

## How to Perform Bulk Custom Record Actions {#how-to-perform-bulk-custom-record-actions}

  You can perform custom record actions created with the <a class="external-link " href="https://developer.veevavault.com/sdk/#record-actions" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Vault Java SDK<i class="fa fa-external-link" aria-hidden="true"></i></a> and enabled for bulk action on up to 1,000 object records:

  1. From the **Choose Action** page, select **Record Actions**.
  2. Click **Next**.
  3. On the **Choose Record Action** page, select the custom record action to perform on your object records.
  4. Click **Next**.
  5. If prompted for input, provide it as needed.
  6. Review the summary of changes on the **Confirmation** page before moving on.
  7. Click **Finish**. Vault processes the custom record action [asynchronously][6].

## Related Security & Permissions {#security}

Vault's comprehensive <a href="/en/gr/22824/">security settings</a> can control which users have access to bulk object record updates.

<table class="wbord">
  <tr>
    <td width="20%">
      <strong>Type</strong>
    </td>
    <td width="20%">
      <strong>Permission</strong>
    </td>
    <td width="60%">
      <strong>Description</strong>
    </td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td>
      Security Profile
    </td>
    <td>
      Application: Object: Bulk Action
    </td>
    <td>
      You must have a security profile that grants the <a href="/en/gr/22824/#applicationpermissions">Application: Object: Bulk Action permission</a> to see the Actions menu which allows you to access bulk action options. This permission, combined with the correct object permissions below, allows you to edit fields, delete records, and change states using bulk actions.
    </td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td>
      Security Profile
    </td>
    <td>
      Object: Edit
    </td>
    <td>
      To update object fields or change object states, you must have Edit permission on the object
    </td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td>
      Security Profile
    </td>
    <td>
      Object: Delete
    </td>
    <td>
      To delete object records, you must have <a href="/en/gr/22824/#objectpermissions">Delete permission on the object</a>.
    </td>
  </tr>
</table>

For <a href="/en/gr/18769/#objectrecordaccesscontrol">objects using Custom Sharing Rules</a>, you must have the Owner or Editor role on the individual object records to be edited or deleted.

## Bulk Action Processing Time {#processingtime}

Bulk changes occur "asynchronously," meaning that there may be a delay before you see the changes, particularly on Vaults with a lot of activity. Once you confirm a bulk action, Vault puts the changes in a queue with other asynchronous tasks. When the changes are complete, a notice appears in your **Notifications** page and Vault sends a notification email.

 [4]: #select
 [6]: #processingtime
