Batch Updates

Batch updates allow the user to edit common properties for multiple definitions. For example, if a user needs to change the agent for many tasks, the user will select those tasks, select Batch Update from the context menu, and change the agent in the displayed Batch Update dialog. Applying the changes made in the Batch update dialog applies the changes to all selected items.

Batch update is available from the definition's list and from any definition report. Only common fields of all selected items will be available for edit. System variables must be of the same data type for the value to be changed. An audit log is created for each definition changed. The user can preview any changes that will be made prior to applying the changes.

Batch Update Dialog

The Batch update dialog can be accessed by selecting the Batch Update menu item from the context menu in the definition’s list.

The Batch Update menu item will only be enabled if more than one items is selected and only if the user has rights to modify all selected definitions.

The fields displayed in the dialog will be different depending on the type of the selected items. The following dialog is an example of the fields shown when all selected items are a System Command Task.

Fields Section

The Fields section displays the available fields that can be modified for the selected definitions. To update a field, the user selects the checkbox and modifies the value of the field associated with the checkbox. Some fields cans be edited directly in this dialog, others have a specific dialog in which the changes will be made.

Field Types

Agent Field	Available when all selected definitions are the same definition type and belong to the same service. Clicking on the magnifying glass will display the agent lookup dialog allowing the user to select an agent or agent list. Only agents that support the service of selected items are displayed in the lookup.
Login Field	Available when all selected definitions are the same definition type and belong to the same service. Clicking on the magnifying glass will display the login lookup dialog allowing the user to select a login. Only logins that support the service of selected items are displayed in the lookup.
Variable field	Available when all selected definition types support variables. The purpose of this field is to replace embedded text in the values of any variables contained in the selected definitions. Clicking on the ellipse button in the field will display the variable dialog: In the above example, any variables containing applicationpath in their name will have c:\somepath in their value replaced with c:\newpath.
	Variable	Any variables in the selected definitions where the name of the variable contains this value will be evaluated. If blank, all variables will be evaluated.
	Text to replace	Any text in the value of the variables that contains this text will be replaced with the text specified in the new value field. If this text is not found in the variable value, it will not be updated. This field is required. This is a case sensitive search.
	Value	New value.
Text Field	Any common string attributes of the selected definitions are displayed with a Text Field. Clicking on the ellipse button on the field will display the text dialog: The name of the attribute is displayed in the title of the dialog.
	Type	Specifies if the update will replace the current value, append to the current value, or prepend to the current value.
	Text to replace	Only enabled if the Type field is set to Replace. Any text in the value of the attribute matching this text will be replaced with the text specified in the new value field. If this text is not found in the attribute, it will not be updated. If this field is left blank, the entire value will be replaced with the new value. This is a case sensitive search.
	Value	New Value. If the Type is Append, this value will be appended to the current value of the attribute. If the Type is Replace, this value will replace the text specified in Text to replace.
Other Fields	Other common fields that are boolean, number or date values can be directly updated on the batch update form. The values of these fields replace the current values in the definitions.

Batch Update Preview

Selecting the preview section will display a list of all selected definitions and the changes that will be made:

The change column indicates whether there are any fields that will be updated in the definition. If the update values are the same as the original values, the record will not be modified.

Clicking on the expand icon for an item displays the modifications that will be applied to the selected definition.

The example below shows that both the Agent field and the Parameters field will be updated for TestJob.

Applying Changes

Selecting the apply button will update all selected items with the specified changes.

See How to change a path specified in multiple System Variables for an example.