Editing Data Window

The [[Data Window]] allows the [[Creation Kit]] to load [[Data File]]s and edit their meta data.
The window can be found under the title bar menu, <code>File -> Data...</code>.

== Editor Window ==
[[File:Data Window.png]]
*'''Plugin/Master Files:''' A list of [[Data File]]s found in the ''data folder''.
**'''Filename:''' The name of this [[Data File]].
**'''Status:''' The status of this [[Data File]].
***''Master:'' The [[Data File]] is an <code>.esm</code> or <code>.esl</code> master file.
***''Plugin:'' The [[Data File]] is an <code>.esp</code> plugin file.
***''Active:'' The [[Data File]] is an <code>.esp</code> and is selected for ''Saving''.
*'''Set as Active File:''' Sets the selected plugins '''Status''' to ''Active''. 
*'''Details...:''' Opens the ''File Details'' window.
*'''Created By:''' The author's name.
*'''Summary:''' A summary description of this [[Data File]].
*'''Created On:''' The date & time this file was created on the file system.
*'''Last Modified:''' The date & time this file was last modified on the file system.
*'''Parent Masters:''' A list of master [[Data File]]s for the selected plugin. 
*'''OK:''' Pressing ok will reload the entire editor with the selected [[Data File]]s and their masters.
*'''Cancel:''' Closes this window.

== File Details ==
[[File:Data File Details Window v2.png]]
=== Working with Records ===
When you are using the [[Creation Kit]], the records that you have edited in the currently active [[Data File]] will be marked with a '''*''' within the [[Object Window]].
To see all records a [[Data File]] changes or adds in a single list, do the following.
#Make sure the [[Data File]] is saved to disk.
#Then navigate to '''File -> Data...''' from the [[Creation Kit]] title bar menu.
#Highlight your [[Data File]] in the left pane, and press the '''Details...''' button. 
#A separate window will then show the full list of records that the [[Data File]] adds or changes.
#Select any file and choose the '''Details...''' button.

The above method is the only way to get a full listing within the [[Creation Kit]] of your changes to a master files records, and additional records your plugin creates.
It's worth noting that your additional records will have FormID's that are higher than those of the master files.
The first 2 characters count up for each file loaded.
So sorting by FormID, by clicking the column heading, becomes a useful tool too.

==== Removing Parent Masters ====
If a master file dependency needs to be removed from a plugin, the parent master list can be used.
When a master dependency is removed from a plugin, all associated records & overrides will also be removed the next time the plugin is loaded.
The [[Creation Kit]] will warn for each removed reference. The warning reads "MASTERFILE: Missing/Invalid base object for reference. This reference will be deleted." during load.

Before proceeding, beware the '''deletion is immediate and irreversible''' once the following keys are pressed, and a parent master selected.
There is no confirmation dialog.

#Navigate to '''File -> Data...''' from the [[Creation Kit]] title bar menu.
#Highlight your [[Data File]] in the left pane. 
#Using the '''Parent Masters''' file name list on the right side pane, highlight the master dependency intended for removal.
#With the dependency highlighted, press the {{key press|Ctrl}} & {{key press|Del}} keys.

==== Ignoring Records ====
[[File:Data File Details Mark As Ignored Window.png]]{{ClearFloats}}

If you see some records listed that you didn't intend to change, you can highlight them in the popup box and press the {{key press|Del} key.
This will mark them with an '''I''' for ''ignored''.
The ignored records will be purged from your file the next time you save it.

=== More Info ===
[[File:Data File Details Info Window.png]]
[[File:Data File Details Info Window GIF.gif]]
{{ClearFloats}}<BR>

This window is very tall and so requires some ''Microsoft Windows'' shortcuts to navigate.
With the ''More Info'' window focused, press the {{key press|Alt|Spacebar}} keys together to open the ''System Menu''.
Select the ''Move'' option and press the {{key press|Up}} & {{key press|Down}} arrow keys to navigate.

== See Also == 
*[[Data File]]
*[[Game File Reference]]
*[[Object Window]]
*[[Editor Interface]]


[[Category:Editor Reference]]
[[Category:Editor Interface]]