📍 Context
Kafinea general interface
Note: In modules that support it, Kafinea can automatically save your changes as you enter them, without you needing to click Save. This page explains what this feature looks like, how to enable it for your instance, and how to disable it individually.
1. What automatic saving is for #
When entering a long record (typically a sales document with many lines), it is inconvenient to have to remember to save regularly. Automatic saving meets this need:
- Your changes are saved in the background, shortly after your last entry.
- A status indicator continuously shows the current save status of your document.
- You still have the option to force an immediate save at any time.
Tip: Even when automatic saving is active, the standard Save button remains available and works as usual.
2. The save status indicator #
When automatic saving is available on the current record, a clickable indicator appears in the toolbar at the top of the screen. It can be in one of the following states:
| Displayed status | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Saved | All your changes are saved. Nothing to do. |
| Unsaved changes | You have modified the record and it will be saved automatically after a few seconds. If you want to save immediately, you can click the status. |
| Saving… | A save is in progress. |
| Error | The last save failed (network issue, conflict, etc.). Click to try again. |
| Automatic saving disabled | Automatic saving is disabled for your account. Remember to save manually. |
Force an immediate save #
Three equivalent ways to trigger a save right away, without waiting for automatic saving:
- Click the status indicator when it shows “Unsaved changes”.
- Use the keyboard shortcut
Ctrl+S(Cmd+Son Mac). Kafinea intercepts this shortcut during editing: it will not save the browser page, but your form. - Click the Save button at the bottom of the record, as usual.
Important: If you try to close the tab or leave the page while changes have not yet been saved, Kafinea displays a confirmation to prevent any loss of input.
3. Enable the feature for your instance #
Automatic saving is part of an advanced editing mode that must be enabled at the instance level by an administrator. This activation is done only once, and then benefits all users.
Procedure (administrator):
- Go to Main menu > Configuration > Settings.
- Open the Module management > Features section.
- Enable the Advanced document editing feature (sticky toolbar, collapsible sections, keyboard shortcuts, command palette…).
- Save.
Once the feature is enabled, the new editing screen—with the status indicator—automatically appears for all users when they open an eligible record.
Note: If automatic saving does not appear on a given module even though the feature is enabled, contact your administrator. They will be able to confirm whether the module in question is already covered or not.
4. Disable automatic saving for your account #
Some users prefer to keep full control over when their changes are written to the database. Kafinea allows you to disable automatic saving individually, without impacting other users.
From the editing toolbar #
- Open a record in edit mode.
- In the toolbar at the top, open the ⋯ menu (three dots).
- Click Automatic saving enabled to toggle the option to OFF.
The status indicator then continuously displays a “Automatic saving disabled” banner as long as changes are not saved. This is intentional: it is a visual reminder to help you avoid forgetting to click Save.
From your user preferences #
The option is also available in your user preferences, under the label Automatic saving of quotes and invoices. Unchecking this option has the same effect as disabling it from the toolbar.
Tip: The setting is stored on your account (not in your browser). You will therefore find it unchanged on another computer or after clearing the cache.
Important: When automatic saving is disabled, you remain fully responsible for saving your changes before leaving the record. The
Ctrl+Sshortcut and the confirmation when closing the tab remain active to help you.
5. Frequently asked questions #
How often does automatic saving trigger?
A few seconds after your last change, without interrupting your input. The delay automatically adapts to the size of the document and the speed of the last save, to avoid overloading the server on very large records.
What happens if someone else edits the same record at the same time as me?
Kafinea detects concurrent changes: if the record has been modified by another user since you opened it, saving displays a conflict message and offers you the choice between reloading the most recent version or forcing your own save. No silent overwrite occurs.
Does automatic saving work on all records?
No. It is available on editing screens for which Kafinea has deployed advanced editing mode. If it is not available on a module you are interested in, contact your administrator: they can check the instance configuration and, if necessary, escalate the need.
I do not see the status indicator in the toolbar—why?
Two possible causes: either the Advanced document editing feature is not enabled for your instance (see section 3), or the module you are working on is not yet covered. In both cases, your administrator can help you.
My colleagues have enabled automatic saving but I do not want it. Is that possible?
Yes. The preference is strictly individual: disabling it for your account has no impact on other users (see section 4).