---
title: "Saving a Record: Save, Save and Edit, Cancel and Undo"
description: "What each button at the top of an open record does, and how to check or reverse your changes before you save. **Applies to:** All users who can edit records · **Module:** All ## The Record Buttons When a record…"
url: "https://support.symbiant.co.uk/kb/saving-a-record-save-and-edit-cancel-undo/"
updated: "2026-10-30"
category: User Basics
---

# Saving a Record: Save, Save and Edit, Cancel and Undo

What each button at the top of an open record does, and how to check or reverse your changes before you save.

**Applies to:** All users who can edit records · **Module:** All

## The Record Buttons

When a record is open, these buttons appear at the top right:

![Cancel (1), Save (2) and Save and edit (3)](https://support.symbiant.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/saving-a-record-01-buttons-v2.png)

1. **Cancel**: closes the record without saving. If you've changed anything, Symbiant asks **Cancel changes?** first; click **Yes, cancel changes** to discard them or **No, don't cancel** to go back.
2. **Save** (*Save and close*): saves your changes and returns you to the module's dashboard. On a brand-new record, Save stores the record and opens it so you can see its new reference.
3. **Pencil** (*Save and edit*): saves your changes and keeps the record open, so you can carry on working on other tabs.

![Hovering over the pencil shows Save and edit](https://support.symbiant.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/saving-a-record-02-save-and-edit-tooltip.png)

**Note:** Save and the pencil are pale until you change something. A **Synchronisation successful!** message confirms each save.

## Checking What You've Changed

While you have unsaved changes, the **Sync** icon (circular arrows) shows that your screen is **not synced with the server**. Click it for these options:

![The Sync menu: Discard, Undo, Differences and Reload data](https://support.symbiant.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/saving-a-record-03-sync-menu.png)

- **Discard**: throws away all your unsaved changes.
- **Undo**: reverses your last change. Click again to step further back.
- **Differences**: shows, under each changed field, the value currently saved, with an **Insert** option to put it back.
- **Reload data**: loads the latest saved version from the server, for example after a [Data Conflict](https://support.symbiant.co.uk/kb/what-does-data-conflict-mean/).

![Differences showing the saved value Open with an Insert option](https://support.symbiant.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/saving-a-record-04-differences.png)

## When a Save Doesn't Work

- **Invalid! Please review the highlighted problems.** A required field is empty; fill in the highlighted fields. See [System Error Messages](https://support.symbiant.co.uk/kb/system-error-messages/).
- **Data Conflict!** Someone else changed the same field; see [What Does "Data Conflict!" Mean?](https://support.symbiant.co.uk/kb/what-does-data-conflict-mean/).

**Critical:** Changes are only stored when you save. If you leave a record without saving, or your session times out, unsaved changes are lost.

## Related Articles

- [Adding a Record](https://support.symbiant.co.uk/kb/adding-a-record/)
- [Editing a Record](https://support.symbiant.co.uk/kb/editing-a-record/)
- [Notifications and Messages](https://support.symbiant.co.uk/kb/notifications-and-messages/)