# Find and edit records (https://docs.getaviato.com/guides/records)



## Find a record [#find-a-record]

Select your project and environment, then a collection. Use search for a quick lookup, filters to narrow a field value, and sorting to order the result. Saved segments let you return to a useful subset of records.

Lists load a page without counting the entire collection. **Count records** requests an exact count when you need one; it can take longer on a large database.

<Screenshot src="/screenshots/collection-records.png" alt="Customers table showing three example customers and the Filters and Export CSV controls" caption="Search and Filters narrow the collection. Count records is a separate request; the list does not need a total count to load." />

## Open and edit [#open-and-edit]

Open a row to see its fields, related records, available actions, and record activity. Fields your role cannot read are hidden. Read-only fields and fields outside your write permissions cannot be edited.

<Screenshot src="/screenshots/record-details.png" alt="Grace Hopper customer record with details and activity tabs" caption="Select Grace Hopper in the example collection to inspect customer #2 before changing it." />

To change a field:

1. Select **Edit** on the record.
2. Update the field you need. In this example, change **Name** to **Grace Brewster Hopper**.
3. Select **Save changes**.
4. Open **Activity** to check that the change was recorded.

<Screenshot src="/screenshots/edit-record.png" alt="Customer edit form with Grace Brewster Hopper in the Name field" caption="Review the record and edited values before selecting Save changes." />

Changes affect the connected database. Check the environment and the record identifier before saving. If an operation is blocked, check your role or ask a project administrator rather than repeatedly retrying it.

## Notes [#notes]

Use record notes to leave operational context for your team. Notes belong to a specific environment and record. Access is checked against the connected agent, so notes may be unavailable when the agent cannot be reached or your role no longer permits the record.

Notes are stored in Aviato's control plane. Avoid putting credentials or other secrets in them.

## Export a collection [#export-a-collection]

Export the filtered data when you need a CSV. Read permissions and field masking still apply. Spreadsheet formula-like cells are escaped to reduce the risk of spreadsheet execution.

Exports read live data rather than a frozen snapshot. Changes to sort keys while an export runs can affect which records it contains. For reconciliation that requires a fixed snapshot, use a database-level reporting process.

## Troubleshooting [#troubleshooting]

An empty collection can mean the filter matches nothing or your role permits no matching rows. If a page cannot connect at all, check [agent connectivity](/administration/troubleshooting).