Update multiple client records at once using Bulk Actions, allowing your agency to change group assignments, statuses, types, languages, and organizations across large client populations in a single operation.

### Overview

The Update Clients bulk action lets you modify one or more fields on multiple client records simultaneously. Instead of opening each client profile individually and making changes one at a time, you configure the updates you need, filter the target clients, and run the action in one step. This is especially useful when your agency reassigns caseloads, updates client statuses for a new program cycle, or standardizes client types across divisions.

- **What it does:** Updates selected fields (group, status, type, language, organization) on all clients matching your search criteria in a single operation.
- **Why it matters:** Saves hours of manual data entry, ensures consistency across client records, and reduces the risk of missed updates.
- **Who should use it:** Administrators, clerks, and supervisors who manage client records and need to apply bulk changes to client data.
- **Expected outcome:** All matching clients have their selected fields updated to the new values you specified.

### Prerequisites

Before updating clients via Bulk Actions, make sure you have:

- An active eCourtDate staging or production agency account
- Super Admin role or both the **Create Bulk Actions** and **Update Bulk Actions** permissions
- A clear understanding of which client fields you need to update and their new values
- Groups, organizations, and other reference data already configured in your agency settings
- Client filters ready to target the correct population

### How-To Steps

#### Step 1: Navigate to Bulk Actions

1. Log in to your eCourtDate agency.
2. Click **Bulk Actions** in the top navigation bar.

#### Step 2: Create a New Update Clients Action

1. Locate the **Create Bulk Action** form.
2. Enter a descriptive name in the **Action Name** field (for example, "Q2 Status Update - Probation Clients").
3. Select **Update Clients** from the **Action Type** dropdown.
4. Click **Create** to generate the bulk action.

You are redirected to the bulk action edit page in **Draft** status.

#### Step 3: Configure the Update Fields

Locate the **Bulk Action Settings** section. You can update one or multiple fields at once. Only the fields you configure will be changed on the client records.

1. Select a value from the **Update Group** dropdown to assign all matching clients to a specific group. Leave blank to skip this field.
2. Select a value from the **Update Status** dropdown to change client statuses (for example, **Active**, **Inactive**, or another status configured for your agency). Leave blank to skip this field.
3. Select a value from the **Update Type** dropdown to change client types (for example, **Defendant**, **Juror**, **Witness**, or another type). Leave blank to skip this field.
4. Select a value from the **Update Language** dropdown to set the preferred language for matching clients. Leave blank to skip this field.
5. Select a value from the **Update Organization** dropdown to reassign clients to a different organization. Leave blank to skip this field.

> **Tip:** You do not need to fill in every field. Only the fields you set will be updated. Fields left blank are not modified on the client records.

#### Step 4: Filter Clients

1. Scroll to the **Search Clients** section.
2. Use the available filters to narrow down your client list. Filters include **Client Status**, **Assigned User**, **Assigned Group**, **Assigned Organization**, **Creator**, **Case Number**, and date ranges.
3. Set the **Client Limit** to cap the maximum number of clients included.
4. Click **Search** to preview the matching clients.

> **Note:** All search filters use the AND operator. A client must match every selected filter to be included.

#### Step 5: Review the Client List

1. Review the filtered client list in the results table.
2. Verify the client count matches your expectations.
3. Click the **Include/Exclude** toggle next to any client you want to remove from the update.
4. Excluded clients display a red indicator and will not be updated.

#### Step 6: Run the Bulk Action

1. Click **Live Run** to process the update immediately.
   - The status progresses from **Dispatching** to **Processing** to **Complete**.
   - You receive an email notification when the bulk action finishes.
2. Alternatively, click **Schedule Run** to set a future date and time for the update.
   - Enter the **Scheduled Date** and **Scheduled Time**.
   - Click **Schedule Run** to confirm.

#### Step 7: Verify the Results

1. Click the client icon for any client in the results list to open their profile.
2. Confirm the updated fields reflect the new values.
3. Spot-check several client profiles to ensure accuracy across the batch.

### What to Expect

After running the bulk action, all matching clients have the specified fields updated to your configured values. The changes take effect immediately once processing completes. You receive an email notification confirming the number of records processed. If you scheduled the run, changes apply at the scheduled date and time.

### Best Practices

- **Update one field at a time for critical changes.** If you are making a high-impact update (such as changing client statuses), consider running separate bulk actions for each field to simplify review and rollback if needed.
- **Test with a small group first.** Use the **Client Limit** field to restrict your first run to a small number of clients, then verify the results before processing the full population.
- **Use descriptive action names.** Include the update type and target audience in the name (for example, "Update Language to Spanish - Division C") so your team can identify it later.
- **Double-check filters before running.** Review the client count and spot-check individual records to confirm you are targeting the correct group.
- **Coordinate with your team.** Inform other administrators about planned bulk updates to avoid conflicting changes to the same client records.

### Frequently Asked Questions

**Q: Can I update multiple fields in a single bulk action?**
A: Yes. You can set values for any combination of the five update fields (group, status, type, language, organization) in one bulk action. Only the fields you configure are changed.

**Q: What happens to fields I leave blank in the configuration?**
A: Fields left blank are not modified on the client records. Only the fields where you select a new value are updated.

**Q: Can I undo a bulk update if I made a mistake?**
A: There is no automatic undo feature. To reverse a change, create a new bulk action with the original values and apply it to the same client population. For this reason, always test with a small group first.

**Q: Will updating a client's status trigger any automated workflows or messages?**
A: Updating a client's status through Bulk Actions changes the stored value on the record. Whether it triggers automated workflows depends on your agency's configuration for status-based automations. Review your automation settings before running status updates.

**Q: Can I update clients across multiple organizations in one action?**
A: Your filters determine which clients are included. If your search criteria match clients across multiple organizations, all matching clients are updated. Use the **Assigned Organization** filter to restrict the update to a specific organization.

### Troubleshooting

**Issue:** Bulk action completes but client records are not updated.
**Symptoms:** The bulk action status shows **Complete**, but client profiles still display the old values.
**Solution:**

1. Refresh the client profile page to ensure you are viewing the latest data.
2. Open the bulk action and verify that you selected values in the update fields (group, status, type, language, or organization).
3. Confirm the client was included in the results list and not excluded via the **Include/Exclude** toggle.
4. If the issue persists, create a support ticket by clicking the ticket button in the bottom right corner of the screen.

**Issue:** Too many clients are included in the update.
**Symptoms:** Clients outside your intended group have updated records.
**Solution:**

1. Review the search filters you applied before running the action.
2. Use more specific filters (assigned group, status, date range) to narrow the target population.
3. For future updates, set a **Client Limit** and review the client list carefully before clicking **Live Run**.

> **Important:** If you continue to experience issues after following these troubleshooting steps, sign in to eCourtDate and create a ticket by clicking the ticket button in the bottom right corner of the screen.

### Related Articles

- [How to Send a Mass Message Using Bulk Actions](/how-to-send-a-mass-message-using-bulk-actions)
- [How to Create Events via Bulk Actions](/how-to-create-events-via-bulk-actions)
- [How to Assign Users via Bulk Actions](/how-to-assign-users-via-bulk-actions)
- [How to Manage Organizations](/how-to-manage-organizations)
- [How to Manage Statuses](/how-to-manage-statuses)