Insert, import, duplicate, and delete rows

Powertable provides multiple ways to add, import, copy, duplicate, and delete rows in a table. You can insert rows manually, import data from external files, duplicate existing records, or remove records as needed.

Powertable provides the following row management capabilities:

• Adding one or more rows directly to the table.
• Importing large data sets from Excel or CSV files.
• Duplicating existing records to reduce the amount of manual data entry
• Copying records for use in other applications.
• Deleting one or more rows from a table.

In this article, you learn how to insert, import, copy, duplicate, and delete rows in a powertable sheet.

Insert rows#

Use the Insert Row option to manually add new rows to a table.

Insert a single row

To insert a single row:

1. Select PowerTable > Insert Row.
   

   

2. A new blank row is added as the last row in the table.

3. Select each cell, enter a value, and press Enter.
   

   

4. After inserting the required row(s) and entering the data, select Save to Database to save the changes.

You can use Preview Changes to review the changes before saving or Discard Changes to remove the unsaved row(s).

Insert multiple rows

To insert multiple rows:

1. Select the dropdown next to PowerTable > Insert Row.

2. Select Insert Multiple Rows.
   

   

3. Enter the Number of Rows to insert.

4. Select Insert.
   

   

The specified number of rows is added to the table.

5. Select each cell, enter a value, and press Enter.
6. Alternatively, you can copy multiple rows from a spreadsheet application such as Excel and paste them into the table.
7. Select Save to Database to save the changes.

You can use Preview Changes to review the changes before saving or Discard Changes to remove the unsaved row(s).

Insert using form interface

You can also configure the form interface as the default method for adding rows.

To set up the insert using a form interface:

1. Select the dropdown next to PowerTable > Insert Row.

2. Enable the Insert Using Form By Default toggle.
   

   

3. Now when you select Insert Row, a new row is inserted, and the Form Editor opens automatically.

4. Enter the required values for the new row and select Apply.

The new row is inserted into the table.

5. After inserting the required row(s), select Save to Database to save the changes.

Insert rows using forms#

New rows can also be added using shareable PowerTable forms distributed via email or embedded in websites. When users submit a form, the submitted values are inserted as new records in the table.

For information about creating and sharing forms, see Create data entry forms.

PowerTable forms only support creating new records. Updating existing records through forms is not supported.

Import bulk data#

You can also import bulk data from Excel or CSV files to add new rows or update existing rows.

When you import data, PowerTable compares the primary key values in the imported file with the existing records in the table.

• Records with matching primary keys are updated.
• Records with new primary keys are inserted as new rows.
• Records with mismatched or invalid data are flagged as errors and can be reviewed through the import error logs.

To import data:

1. Select PowerTable > Import.

   

2. The Import dialog box appears. Select the Excel or CSV option to specify the format of the file and then select Continue.
   

   

3. Browse or drop the file in the selected format and select Upload.
   

   

   

4. Review the uploaded data and the count of rows marked for insert and update operations, and then select Import. Any import errors, such as data type mismatches, are displayed under the Error tab.
   

   

The table is updated with the newly inserted rows and the modified values from the imported data.

Copy-paste rows#

Excel to PowerTable sheet

You can populate a PowerTable sheet by copying rows from external applications, such as Microsoft Excel, and pasting them directly into the table. This is another way to add or update data, instead of an import, especially when there are only a few rows to insert.

1. Copy the rows you want to add from the spreadsheet.

2. Use Insert Row to insert one or more rows.
3. Select the newly added rows and then select Paste option or use Ctrl+V.

The data is now imported from Excel to the PowerTable sheet using the copy-paste method.

PowerTable sheet to other applications

You can also copy data from a PowerTable sheet and paste it into external applications such as Microsoft Excel, Word, or Notepad for further analysis, reporting, or sharing.

To copy rows:

1. Select one or more rows.
2. Select the Copy to Clipboard icon on the toolbar. Alternatively, you can also use the shortcut key for copy (Ctrl+C).

3. Paste the data in the required application(s).
   

   

Duplicate rows#

Duplicate existing records and then modify only the required fields.

To duplicate rows:

1. Select one or more rows.

2. Select Duplicate option on the toolbar.
   

   

The selected rows are duplicated. Now, you can update the required fields.

Delete rows#

Delete one or more rows from a table.

To delete rows:

1. Select one or more rows.
2. Select Delete on the toolbar.

3. In the confirmation dialog box, select Proceed.

The selected rows are deleted.

4. After deleting the required row(s), select Save to Database to save the changes, or Discard Changes to revert the deletion.

FAQ#

What does Insert Using Form By Default change?

Insert Using Form By Default changes the default behavior of the Insert Row button.

• When the option is off, Insert Row adds a blank row directly to the grid.
• When the option is on, Insert Row opens the Record Details form instead.

What does Insert Multiple Rows do?

Insert Multiple Rows lets you insert up to 1,000 blank rows into the table.

When you select this option, PowerTable prompts you to specify the number of rows to insert.

In the insert form, do I have to fill in every field? Does Apply save the record?

No. Selecting Apply doesn't save the record. It closes the form and stages the new row as a pending change.

When you add a new record:

• Complete all fields marked as Mandatory.
• Identity columns are generated automatically.
• You can leave optional fields blank. Optional fields aren't marked with an asterisk (*).

Does selecting Apply in the Form Editor commit the changes?

No. Selecting Apply creates a pending change. You can combine it with other pending changes before you preview, discard, or save them.

The changes are committed only when you select Save to Database.

Which rows does Bulk Edit affect?

Bulk Edit is available only when you select multiple rows by using the row selectors (the checkboxes for each row). It applies changes only to the selected rows.

What happens to existing rows during the import process?

Before importing data, PowerTable classifies each row.

After you select the sheet and choose Proceed, PowerTable scans the file and categorizes the rows into the following tabs:

• Insert
• Update
• Error

Each tab displays the number of rows in that category. Selecting Import applies the changes.