What’s the difference between safe and unsafe fields in Slate? What happens when I try to import data into a field that’s safe? Why would you want to set a field to unsafe? Let’s jump in and answer all those questions.
What’s the difference between safe/unsafe fields?
Technolutions Slate field building
What happens when I try to import data into a field that’s safe?
It depends. If you are importing data and the source format is set to ‘Safe’ then the data in the import will be ignored and the data originally in the field will be retained. If the source format is set to unsafe, and the field is set to safe – the data in the import will overwrite the original data in the field. (regardless of what the field safe/unsafe value is set to)
So why would you want to set a field to unsafe?
If you have a field that you want to keep the most current value in place such as a financial aid field, custom rating field, or anything you don’t care about preserving previous values.
If there are fields you want to preserve and make sure once they’re filled with data they’re locked in, you need to do a few things. Make sure the specific field is set to safe and that any imports or forms set to unsafe do not have that particular field included.
Dive deeper: Additional field Slate documentation information
Make sure you lock down those fields that you don’t want to change, and open the gates for the fields you want the most current value on. Have confidence that your fields are now safe! (or unsafe)