Troubleshooting & FAQ
Common Issues
Data Entry Problems
Can't edit a cell
Symptoms: Clicking a cell doesn't allow editing
Possible causes:
- Property is read-only (Created Time, Formula, Auto ID, etc.)
- You don't have edit permissions
- Database is in view-only mode
Solutions:
- Check if the property type is read-only
- Verify you have edit permissions
- Ask database owner for access
Changes not saving
Symptoms: Edits disappear or "Saving..." never completes
Possible causes:
- Internet connection lost
- Server error
- Browser issue
Solutions:
- Check your internet connection
- Look for error messages in the UI
- Refresh the page (changes may have saved)
- Try a different browser
- Check browser console for errors
Paste not working
Symptoms: Can't paste data from Excel/Sheets
Solutions:
- Ensure data format matches property types
- Click the correct starting cell
- Try pasting one cell first to test
- Check you have edit permissions
- Verify clipboard has data (try pasting in notepad first)
Display Issues
Rows disappeared
Possible causes:
- Filter is hiding them
- Someone deleted them
- Wrong view selected
- Workspace filter applied
Solutions:
- Clear all filters
- Switch to "All" or default view
- Check workspace filter - select "All Workspaces"
- Check activity log for deletions
- Search for the row by name
Can't see a property/column
Cause: Property is hidden in current view
Solutions:
- Click "Properties" button in toolbar
- Find the property in the list
- Toggle it on to show
- The column appears at the end
- Drag to reorder if needed
Column too narrow
Solution:
- Hover over right edge of column header
- Drag to resize
- Or double-click edge to auto-fit content
Sorting & Filtering Issues
Can't reorder rows manually
Cause: A sort is applied
Solution:
- Click "Sort" in toolbar
- Click "Clear all"
- Now you can drag rows to reorder
Filter not working as expected
Check:
- Filter condition is correct (contains vs. is)
- Filter value is exact (case-sensitive for some types)
- AND/OR logic is set correctly
- Property has data (not empty)
Solutions:
- Remove and re-add the filter
- Try a simpler filter first
- Check for typos in filter value
Sort order seems wrong
Check:
- Multiple sorts applied (check priority)
- Property type (text sorts differently than numbers)
- Empty values (appear first or last depending on direction)
Solutions:
- Clear all sorts and re-apply
- Ensure property type is correct
- Check for hidden characters in data
View Problems
View changes not saving
Symptoms: Filters, sorts, or column changes don't persist
Solutions:
- Check internet connection
- Wait a moment - auto-save has a delay
- Refresh and check if changes saved
- Try creating a new view
Can't delete a view
Cause: It's the last view (at least one must exist)
Solution: Create a new view first, then delete the old one
View disappeared
Possible causes:
- Someone with permissions deleted it
- You're looking in wrong database
Solutions:
- Check with team members
- Verify you're in the correct database
- Check activity log
Performance Issues
Database loading slowly
Causes:
- Large number of rows (1000+)
- Many properties with complex formulas
- Large file attachments
- Slow internet connection
Solutions:
- Use filters to show fewer rows
- Hide unused properties
- Limit formula complexity
- Check internet speed
- Close other browser tabs
Lag when typing
Causes:
- Too many rows visible
- Complex formulas recalculating
- Browser performance
Solutions:
- Apply filters to reduce visible rows
- Simplify or remove formulas
- Close other applications
- Try a different browser
- Restart browser
Property Issues
Can't change property type
Cause: Data exists that doesn't match new type
Solutions:
- Clear data in that property first, or
- Create a new property with desired type
- Manually transfer data
- Delete old property
Formula not calculating
Check:
- Formula syntax is correct
- Referenced properties exist
- Referenced properties have data
- No circular references
Solutions:
- Check formula for errors (red underline)
- Verify property names in formula
- Test with simpler formula first
- Check browser console for errors
Relation not showing linked items
Check:
- Target database still exists
- Linked rows haven't been deleted
- You have permission to view target database
Solutions:
- Verify target database exists
- Check permissions on both databases
- Try creating a new relation
General Questions
How many rows can a database have?
Answer: No hard limit, but performance is best with under 10,000 rows. Use filters and views for larger datasets.
Can I undo changes?
Answer: Yes! Press Ctrl/Cmd + Z to undo recent changes. Undo history is limited to current session.
Can I export my database?
Answer: Yes, use the Export button to download as CSV. This includes all visible rows and properties.
Can I import data?
Answer: Yes, copy data from Excel/Sheets and paste into the database. Column order and types must match.
Are changes saved automatically?
Answer: Yes, all changes auto-save within a few seconds. Look for the "Saved" indicator.
Can I see who changed what?
Answer: Yes, check the Activity panel in row details to see edit history.
Can multiple people edit at once?
Answer: Yes! Changes sync in real-time. You'll see other users' cursors and changes as they work.
Can I restore deleted rows?
Answer: No, deleted rows are permanent. Be careful when deleting!
How do I share a database?
Answer: Use the Share button to invite team members or create a share link. Set permissions as needed.
Can I link databases together?
Answer: Yes, use Relation properties to link rows between databases.
Can I create templates?
Answer: Yes, create a database with your desired structure, then use it as a template for new databases.
Property-Specific Questions
Why can't I edit Created Time?
Answer: It's a system property that's automatically set when a row is created. It's read-only.
How do I add more select options?
Answer: Click the property header → Edit Property → Add options with the + button.
Can I change option colors?
Answer: Yes, in the property editor, click the color next to each option to change it.
Why is my formula showing an error?
Answer: Check syntax, property names, and ensure no circular references. Hover over the error for details.
How do I upload multiple files?
Answer: Click the file property cell, then select multiple files or drag and drop them all at once.
Can I link to external databases?
Answer: Relations only work within Ascend. Use URL properties for external links.
View & Filter Questions
Can I save different filters as views?
Answer: Yes! Create a new view, apply filters, and they're saved to that view automatically.
Can other people see my views?
Answer: Yes, views are shared with everyone who has access to the database.
Can I create private views?
Answer: Not currently - all views are visible to all database users.
How many filters can I add?
Answer: No limit, but too many filters can be confusing. Keep it simple when possible.
Can I filter by formula results?
Answer: Yes, formula properties can be filtered just like regular properties.
Why doesn't my date filter work?
Answer: Ensure the date format matches. Use relative dates (Today, This Week) for dynamic filters.
Collaboration Questions
Can I see who's viewing the database?
Answer: Yes, look for user avatars in the top right showing active viewers.
Can I prevent others from editing?
Answer: Yes, use permissions to set view-only access for specific users.
Can I comment on rows?
Answer: Yes, click a row to open details, then use the Comments section.
Can I mention someone in a comment?
Answer: Yes, type @ followed by their name to mention and notify them.
Can I see edit history?
Answer: Yes, check the Activity panel in row details for recent changes.
Getting Help
If you're still experiencing issues:
- Check this guide - Most questions are answered here
- Search documentation - Use the search bar
- Check browser console - Look for error messages (F12)
- Try a different browser - Rule out browser-specific issues
- Ask your team - They might have solved it
- Contact support - We're here to help!
When Contacting Support
Please include:
- What you were trying to do
- What happened instead
- Any error messages
- Browser and version
- Screenshots if applicable
- Steps to reproduce the issue
Related
- Property Types - Understanding property types
- Working with Rows - Row operations
- Views & Filters - View management
Last Updated: December 2024