Changing a value by hand.
WHEN THIS IS APPROPRIATE
Correcting a site URL after a migration Fixing a single setting the application cannot reach Resetting a password when locked out Correcting a value you know is wrong
WHEN IT IS NOT
Anything the application can do itself. Applications frequently store related data in several places, and editing one directly leaves the others inconsistent.
BEFORE YOU START
Export the table. Thirty seconds, and it is your only undo.
THE PROCEDURE
- Browse to the row.
- Click Edit.
- Change the value.
- Go.
CHECKING FIRST
Browse and confirm you have the right row. Check the id, not just the visible content.
Several rows may look similar.
AFTER CHANGING
Reload the site and confirm the intended effect, and that nothing else broke.
Clear caches, since the application may serve the old value.
WHAT TO NEVER DO
Edit a primary key Edit serialised data by hand, which breaks it Change several rows without understanding their relationships
