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Circuit Libraries

K
Written by Keith Walker
Updated over 2 weeks ago

For circuits with multiple locations, you can now create a shared library for all your sites that allow you to manage data from one source.

Adding a circuit library will create an intermediate library between the INDY Library and the Site's data. You can unlink to stop receiving updates at either level.

If you want your sites to use a shared library, contact support and we can add one for you.

Circuit vs. Site Level

Whether or not you set up a Circuit Library, we have moved some data between levels. We have moved several sets of data from the circuit level to the site level so they can vary by site.

Data moved from the Circuit Level to the Site Level:

  • Categories

  • Items

  • Modifier Sets

  • Packages

  • Price Cards

These have been automatically duplicated so there should be no difference. Updating these will not update for other sites.

Now if you edit an Item for one site, it will not change the value for the other site. If you de want to edit them together, then you edit the library.

To help keep track of how this all works, we have added an indicator of what data is at a site level and what is at a circuit level.

Editing Site Library

You will then see that a LIBRARY site has been created and can be selected from the site dropdown.

You can then use admin as normal, but instead of editing your site's data, you are editing the shared library data.

You can use the 'Link to sites' button to see currently linked sites and add more

Updated Library Controls (2025)

The Library in Indy Admin allows you to manage and synchronise shared resources (such as movies, items, and other content) across multiple sites.
Recent changes to the Library Controls streamline how linking works, provide clearer status indicators, and add a Force Update option for bringing local records in sync with their library version.

This guide covers:

  • What’s changed in the new build

  • How to link and unlink records

  • Enabling/disabling library updates

  • Using Force Update

  • Inheritance rules for related records

  • Best practices for managing library-linked data


What’s Changed

Previously, the Library section included three separate buttons:

  1. Add from Library – Add new items from the central library.

  2. Link to Library – Link existing local items to library records.

  3. Library Updates – Enable or disable library updates.

In the new build:

  • Only Add from Library remains as a main button (works as before).

  • The Link to Library button has been removed.

  • The Library Updates toggle is replaced by a status chip on each record.

  • The chip displays link status and provides all relevant actions from a single menu.


Link Status Chips

Each record now shows a chip indicating its library link status:

Chip Status

Meaning

Actions Available

Linked with Updates

The record is linked to the library and will automatically receive updates.

Disable updates, Unlink

Linked with No Updates

The record is linked but will not receive automatic updates.

Enable updates, Unlink

Not Linked

The record is not connected to the library.

Link to library item (create new or link to existing)


Linking & Unlinking Records

  1. Click the status chip for the item.

  2. If Not Linked:

    • Choose Create new library item (requires permission), or

    • Link to existing library item.

    • The search box auto-fills with the most likely match, but you can clear it to see more options.

  3. If Linked:

    • Choose Unlink to disconnect from the library (local changes will no longer sync).

  4. Save your changes.


Enabling / Disabling Updates

  • Click the status chip and select:

    • Enable updates – Automatically receive library changes.

    • Disable updates – Keep current local data without overwriting.

  • This replaces the old Library Updates icon toggle.


Inheritance Rules

Some linked data types inherit update settings from their parent record.
Example:

  • Movie Terms inherit update settings from the linked Movie.

    • You cannot toggle updates at the Movie Terms level.

    • Tooltip text will confirm this behaviour.


Force Update

The Force Update option allows you to manually pull the latest data from the library into a local record, even if updates have been disabled.

Use Cases:

  • You disabled updates for a period and now want to apply all pending changes.

  • You need to refresh item details without enabling ongoing updates.

How it works:

  1. Click into a linked record.

  2. Select Force Update.

  3. All linked fields will update, including:

    • Names

    • Abbreviations

    • Categories

    • Item variations & pricing

    • Default modifiers

  4. Related linked records (variations, modifiers) also update.

Important Notes:

  • Force Update does not delete local records that have been removed from the library.

    • This prevents accidental data loss.

    • If you no longer need an item, manually Archive or Remove it.

    • Some records cannot be deleted if they are linked to past transactions (archive instead).

  • The Library ID is now visible for each linked item, so you can verify exactly which library record it’s pulling from.

  • If two local items are linked to the same library item, forcing an update on one will only update that specific item.


Best Practices

  • Enable updates for content you want to keep in sync automatically.

  • Disable updates when making local changes you don’t want overwritten.

  • Use Force Update as a one-time refresh after a period of manual control.

  • Regularly review the Library ID to ensure links are correct.

  • When unlinking, confirm whether the item should remain in your site or be archived.

Watch Tutorials

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