# Bulk Edit Check Templates

Source: https://userguide.qualytics.io/data-quality-checks/templates/how-tos/bulk-edit/

Use this flow to change many check templates at once. To edit one template, see [Edit a Template](https://userguide.qualytics.io/data-quality-checks/templates/how-tos/edit-a-template/). To change checks in bulk instead, see [Edit Checks](https://userguide.qualytics.io/data-quality-checks/checks/how-tos/managing/edit-checks/).

> **Info: Permissions**
>
> Editing check templates requires the **Manager** user role or higher. See [User Roles](https://userguide.qualytics.io/settings/access/users/roles/overview/).

## What You Can Change

The **Bulk Edit Check Templates** dialog offers the options below. Each option you turn on shows how it is applied next to its name.

| Option | How it is applied |
| --- | --- |
| **Filter Clause** | Always **Overwrite**: the clause you enter replaces the filter of every selected template. Leaving it empty removes their filter. The clause follows the same rules as a template's [Filter Clause](https://userguide.qualytics.io/data-quality-checks/templates/deep-dive/how-it-works/#what-a-template-defines). |
| **Tags** | **Overwrite** (the default) makes the tags you pick each template's only tags. **Add** keeps each template's current tags and adds the ones you pick, without duplicating a tag it already has. |

## Effect on Linked Checks

The checks created from a template follow some of these changes:

- **Tags** reach every check linked to the template, whether the template is locked or unlocked. The tags you add are added to those checks. With **Overwrite**, the tags taken off the template are taken off them too.
- **Filter Clause** reaches the linked checks only when the template is **Locked**. An unlocked template keeps its checks' filters as they are. See [Archive a Template](https://userguide.qualytics.io/data-quality-checks/templates/how-tos/archive-a-template/).
- A **Filter Clause** that uses [`each()`](https://userguide.qualytics.io/data-quality-checks/templates/deep-dive/filter-permutations/) gives every value in the list its own check, so changing the list changes those checks:
  - On a **Locked** template, a value removed from the list deletes its check. A value added creates a check on each table or file that still has a check from the list. Adding `each()` to a filter that had none splits every linked check into one check per value.
  - On an unlocked template, a value removed from the list keeps its check. A value added creates a check only on the tables or files that already have checks from the list, so adding `each()` to a filter that had none creates no checks.

> **Tip: Replacing every value of the list**
>
> New checks are copied from the checks the list already has. On a locked template, removing every value and adding new ones in the same save deletes the old checks first, so no check is created for the new values. Add the new values and save, then remove the old ones and save again.

> **Warning: When the save is refused**
>
> The selected templates are saved one after another. If one of them cannot take the change, the dialog shows the reason and that template is left as it was, but templates saved before it may already carry the change, together with their linked checks. Reopen the list to see which templates changed before you try again. A template refuses the change when:
>
> - Its rule type does not accept a filter and a **Filter Clause** was sent. The message reads `Check type '<rule type>' does not support a filter clause`. Leave those templates out of the selection, or turn the **Filter Clause** toggle off.
> - The change would reach linked checks in a datastore you cannot access, such as new tags or a new filter on a locked template. The message reads `Cannot update this template: it has linked checks in datastores you do not have access to`. An **Admin** can make the change, or you can leave that template out.

To make the same change through the API, send `PATCH /api/quality-check-templates` with a list of entries carrying the template `id` and the values to change, such as `filter`, `tags` with `tags_mode`, and `additional_metadata` with `additional_metadata_mode`. Each mode is `replace` (the default) or `add`. The API also takes Additional Metadata, which the dialog does not offer.

## Other Bulk Actions

The same **Bulk menu**  also offers **Archive**  for the selected templates. It is not offered while the selection includes a **Locked** template that still has linked checks, because such a template cannot be archived. Unlock it first, or leave it out of the selection. A locked template with no linked checks can be archived. See [Template State](https://userguide.qualytics.io/data-quality-checks/templates/deep-dive/how-it-works/#locked-and-unlocked-templates).

## Steps

**Step 1:** Click **Library** on the left side panel. The list of check templates opens.

**Step 2:** Hover over each template you want to change and click the checkbox on its row. To select every template on the current page, click the **Select all in page** checkbox. The top of the list turns into a selection toolbar showing the count, for example **2 selected**.

**Step 3:** Click the **Bulk menu**  button in the selection toolbar.

**Step 4:** Click **Edit**  in the menu.

**Step 5:** The **Bulk Edit Check Templates** dialog opens. The notice at the top reads **Toggle the fields to update for** followed by the number of selected check templates, and the **Filter Clause** and **Tags** toggles are off.

**Step 6:** Turn on the options you want to change:

- **Filter Clause**: an **Overwrite** badge appears next to it. Enter the `WHERE` expression in the field below. Click **Information**  next to the label for a reminder of what the clause accepts.
- **Tags**: an **Overwrite** / **Add** selector appears next to it. Keep **Overwrite** or click **Add**, then click the tag field and pick the tags to apply.

The notice updates to say which options are overwritten and which are added to, for example **This action will overwrite Filter Clause and add to the existing Tags for 2 selected check templates**.

**Step 7:** Click **Save**. Every selected template is updated, and a success message appears.

*Last updated: November 10, 2026.*