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Update Applications

When a marketplace application is further developed – for example because new fields have been added – an already installed version can be updated directly. Existing data, custom adjustments and previously captured records are fully preserved.

This way, the scope of an application can be extended gradually without having to re-import the entire template.

Where is this available?

The function is provided in the Marketplace, reachable from the main navigation.

On every card representing an already installed application, two small icons are visible:

  • ↻ (sync icon): Updates the application and adds new fields from the latest template version.
  • X: Uninstalls the application completely.

Cards of applications that are not installed only show the import button – the sync icon is only available on installed applications.

What happens during an update?

Clicking the sync icon triggers an additive reconciliation between the installed application and the current template version.

What gets added:

  • New fields that exist in the current template version but are missing from the installed schema.
  • New nested fields within existing objects (recursively).
  • New fields within lists of objects (arrays).
  • Matching columns in the underlying data store, so new fields can be populated immediately.

What does not change:

  • Existing fields, including adjusted titles, descriptions or order.
  • Fields that have been removed from the template – they remain in place so that previously captured data is not lost.
  • Existing records and their content.

Step by step

  1. Open the Marketplace.
  2. Locate the card of the installed application.
  3. Click the ↻ sync icon.
  4. Confirm the dialog "Update application?".
  5. After completion a short notification is shown:
    • "Application updated" – new fields have been applied.
    • "No changes" – the installed version is already up to date.

Example

A vacation request application was originally imported with the fields Name, From and To. A newer template version introduces the fields Deputy and Department. A single click on ↻ adds both fields. All vacation requests that have been submitted in the meantime remain unchanged and can still be viewed and reported on.

Tips

  • Restore accidentally deleted fields: If a field was removed in the Data Designer by mistake, the update button can bring it back – as long as it still exists in the template.
  • Deliberately keep removed fields: Fields that have been removed in a newer template version are not deleted automatically. If they should be removed permanently, this can be done manually in the Data Designer.
  • Running the update multiple times is safe: If there are no new fields, the message "No changes" appears. The application stays untouched.

Non-destructive update

The update mechanism is intentionally designed to never overwrite existing data or customizations. Running an update is therefore always safe.