- Question.
If data is updated by another process (such as an automated step or the completion of a human task) while the [Edit Data] form is open, can those updates be reverted?
- Answer.
Yes. When saving with [Edit Data], not only the items you changed but all data items on the form are saved with the values displayed at the time of saving. Items you did not change retain the values from when the form was opened, so if the following sequence of operations occurs, those older values will overwrite the data, and the updates made in between will be lost.
- Open the [Edit Data] form
- Another process (such as an automated step or the completion of a human task) updates the data
- Save the [Edit Data] form that was left open
In this case, the data that should have been updated will appear to have been deleted or reverted to its previous value.
Note that Discussion-type data items are appended rather than overwritten when saved, so they are not affected by this behavior.
How to Verify
In [System Settings] > [Case Log], check the timestamps of the save by [Edit Data] and the execution of the other process, and verify the chronological order.
- The time when the other process (such as an automated step execution or task completion) was performed
- The time when the save by [Edit Data] was executed
If the save by [Edit Data] is recorded immediately after the other update process, an overwrite may have occurred.
The time when the [Edit Data] form was opened and the change history of individual data item values cannot be verified.
How to Prevent
- Do not leave the [Edit Data] form open while other processes may be updating the data
- Before performing [Edit Data], check the processing status of the target case
- If data corrections are frequently needed, consider adding a rejection or correction task to the workflow
- From the perspective of operational safety and audit trails, design workflows that rely on [Edit Data] as little as possible
Related information: