--- title: How to Update a Field Model Without Losing Existing Data description: Learn how to update a field model and migrate existing data safely into a newly configured field without losing any records. --- [Skip to content](https://learn.enginehire.io/en/knowledge/how-to-update-a-field-model-without-losing-existing-data#main-content) English Show submenu for translations [Contact us](https://learn.enginehire.io/en/knowledge/kb-tickets/new?hsLang=en) [Customer portal](https://learn.enginehire.io/tickets-view?hsLang=en) ![enginehire logo thin dark 1.0.png\]](https://learn.enginehire.io/hs-fs/hubfs/enginehire%20logo%20thin%20dark%201.0.png?height=40&name=enginehire%20logo%20thin%20dark%201.0.png) - Home - Products - Pricing - Blog - Company Open main navigation Close main navigation - Home - Products - Pricing - Blog - Company - English Show submenu for translations - [Contact us](https://learn.enginehire.io/en/knowledge/kb-tickets/new) - [Customer portal](https://learn.enginehire.io/tickets-view) - Go to main page Go to main page Hello! You can find guides on how to do everything in Enginehire here. If you can't find what you are looking for or anything feels out of date, please contact us! - There are no suggestions because the search field is empty. 1. [Enginehire Help Center](https://learn.enginehire.io/en/knowledge?hsLang=en) 2. [Data Import & Export](https://learn.enginehire.io/en/knowledge/data-import-export?hsLang=en) # How to Update a Field Model Without Losing Existing Data ## This guide breaks down the exact steps to seamlessly migrate your data into a new, correctly configured field without losing a single record. Often, simply changing a field's model directly will wipe out all the historical data stored within it. To safely transition to a new field model while preserving your valuable data, you need to use a strategic "export, replace, and re-import" method.   ### Step 1: Export Your Current Data Before making any structural changes to your database, you must extract the existing data. 1. Navigate to your clients / candidates to export records - [here is a detail guide](https://learn.enginehire.io/en/knowledge/export-client-or-candidates-into-a-spreadsheet?hsLang=en) 2. Generate an export CSV file. 3. **Crucial:** Ensure that you include the specific field you are trying to update in your export report (for example, **Type of Service**), alongside a unique identifier **Email Address**. > **Note:** Treat this exported CSV as your master backup. Do not alter the data inside this file. ### Step 2: Access the Profile Builder Once your data is safely exported, you can begin making structural changes to the platform. 1. Go into your system's **Profile Builder**. [Here is a detail guide](https://learn.enginehire.io/en/knowledge/how-to-add-a-question-to-a-section?hsLang=en) 2. Locate the specific section where the field you want to change currently lives. 3. Click on **Edit Section** to make changes. ### Step 3: Create the New Field & Hide the Old One Instead of deleting the old field—which would destroy the data—you will create a brand new one and quietly archive the old one. 1. **Add the New Field:** Create a new field with the correct field model. Give it the exact label you want your users to see (e.g., **Type of Service**). 2. **Rename the Old Field:** Find the original field and rename its label to designate it as an archive (e.g., **Type of Service Backup**). 3. **Hide the Old Field:** Prevent users from seeing or interacting with the old field by making it strictly internal. Add the additional property **"Is admin only."** ### Step 4: Map the Data in the Importer Now, it is time to push your saved data back into the system, specifically targeting the newly created field. 1. Navigate to your system's **Data Importer** tool. 2. Upload the CSV file you exported in Step 1. 3. Begin the mapping process: - Map the **Email** column in your CSV to the system's **Email** field. (This is how the system knows *who* to update). - Map the data from your *old* field column (from the CSV) directly into your newly created **Type of Service** field. ![](https://staticfiles.gleap.io/gattachments/SjvIAb0mOrbmxlNxipLrUxfvxqmAHsJ3uxNZh0Yui23P9IB1F8kCRskzfm6zdqpobZ3D15z5n1J.png)   ### Step 5: Enable "Update Existing Users" This is the most critical step to update existing records. 1. Scroll down to the **Advanced Options** section of the importer. 2. Locate and check the box labeled **Update Existing Users**. By enabling this, the system will look at the Email addresses in your CSV, find the matching existing profiles, and simply overwrite the empty new field with your historical data. ![](https://staticfiles.gleap.io/gattachments/S5VwCQn4gf2rXeZX3xibYXpYcsLpoA7ykIRVN0VAsfMZgwKQVwxUWxTIjiAUFmOv8zDPURmlVM0.png)   ### Step 6: Execute the Import Double-check your field mapping to ensure everything aligns correctly. Once you are confident: 1. Hit the **Import** button.   - [Onboarding](https://learn.enginehire.io/en/knowledge/onboarding?hsLang=en) - [Application Forms & Profiles](https://learn.enginehire.io/en/knowledge/application-forms-profiles?hsLang=en) - [Templates & Communication](https://learn.enginehire.io/en/knowledge/templates-communication?hsLang=en) - [Jobs](https://learn.enginehire.io/en/knowledge/jobs?hsLang=en) - [Payments](https://learn.enginehire.io/en/knowledge/payments?hsLang=en) - [Integrations](https://learn.enginehire.io/en/knowledge/integrations?hsLang=en) - [App](https://learn.enginehire.io/en/knowledge/app?hsLang=en) - [For Candidates & Clients](https://learn.enginehire.io/en/knowledge/for-candidates-clients?hsLang=en) - [Backup Care](https://learn.enginehire.io/en/knowledge/backup-care?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Instant Book](https://learn.enginehire.io/en/knowledge/backup-care?hsLang=en#instant-book) - [Data Import & Export](https://learn.enginehire.io/en/knowledge/data-import-export?hsLang=en) - [Reporting & Logs](https://learn.enginehire.io/en/knowledge/reporting-logs?hsLang=en) - [Error](https://learn.enginehire.io/en/knowledge/error?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Authentication](https://learn.enginehire.io/en/knowledge/error?hsLang=en#authentication) - [Settings](https://learn.enginehire.io/en/knowledge/settings?hsLang=en) - [Domain](https://learn.enginehire.io/en/knowledge/domain?hsLang=en) - [Webinars and Training](https://learn.enginehire.io/en/knowledge/webinars-and-training?hsLang=en) - [Ways to Grow and Make More Money](https://learn.enginehire.io/en/knowledge/ways-to-grow-and-make-more-money?hsLang=en) - [Placements](https://learn.enginehire.io/en/knowledge/placements?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Job Board](https://learn.enginehire.io/en/knowledge/placements?hsLang=en#job-board) - [Enginehire Team Internal Videos](https://learn.enginehire.io/en/knowledge/enginehire-team-internal-videos?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Settings](https://learn.enginehire.io/en/knowledge/enginehire-team-internal-videos?hsLang=en#settings) - [AI](https://learn.enginehire.io/en/knowledge/ai?hsLang=en) - Home - Products - Pricing - Blog - Company [![Chill listening crop-3](https://learn.enginehire.io/hs-fs/hubfs/enginehire%20logo%20thin%20dark%201.0-1.png?width=68&height=24&name=enginehire%20logo%20thin%20dark%201.0-1.png "Chill listening crop-3")](https://enginehire.io) Enginehire Help Center Copyright © 2026, Enginehire Inc.