---
title: Review an import before saving
description: "Read the state of each imported work, deal with anything that stops a save, save the works you want and undo an import that was wrong."
keywords: [import review, save import, match, choose a match, needs attention, undo import, unfinished import, proposed changes]
---

After you choose **Preview changes** on a spreadsheet, or upload a CWR file, the Workspace lists each row or work as an item to check. Nothing reaches your catalogue until you save. Saving sends nothing to a society.

## What you will see

Counts at the top total the items in each state. A work with no reference of its own is numbered when you save (W000001 and so on); you can change it on the work's page before you send a file.

**Details to check (you can still save)** counts works with no title, no writers or no writer role, and an ISWC, ISRC or IPI that looks mistyped. They do not stop a save. Fix them afterwards: see [Fix problems on a work](/docs/workspace/catalogue/fix-problems).

Each item shows its title, its row numbers and a state:

| State | What it means |
|---|---|
| **New work** | It will be added when you save. |
| **Updates saved work** | It matches a work you have saved. Saving updates that work and keeps its earlier version. |
| **Unchanged** | It matches a saved work and nothing differs, so no new version is needed. |
| **Choose a match** | The Workspace cannot tell which work this is. |
| **Needs attention** | It cannot be saved yet. The message on the item says why. |
| **Skipped** | You left it out. |
| **Saved** and **Undone** | It was added, or removed again by an undo. |

To see what an update changes, open the section under the item that begins **Review**. It compares the **Saved value** with the **Proposed value** for each **Field**. **Not supplied** means nothing is saved there; **Clear saved value** means the update would empty it.

![Review, then save for a spreadsheet import, with the counts of new works and updates above the first three works, each marked New work.](/docs/img/workspace/import-review-sheet.png)

## What stops a save

Items marked **Choose a match** or **Needs attention** cannot be ticked. Save also stays off while nothing is ticked, or after you change a choice and before you preview again.

1. On the item, open **Choose how to import this work**.
2. Under **Matching choice**, choose **Create a separate work**, **Match an existing work** or **Skip this item**. To match, find the work with **Search all saved works** and pick it under **Existing work**.
3. Choose **Preview changes** again. For a CWR file it is **Review matching choices**.

Where a row has one similar saved work, one button matches every such row. Where it has several, choose for each. An item that would remove saved details is not ticked and says **Removes**. Tick it only if you mean that.

## Save

Choose the button that begins **Save** and shows how many works are selected. A save is all or nothing. From 100 works the screen shows a progress bar and an estimate; keep the page open. You can save the ready works now and return for the rest.

If the works you ticked would take you over your works limit, the save is refused and nothing is saved. The message says how many works there is room for. Untick some works and save again, or see **ask for more** in [Finding your way around](/docs/workspace/finding-your-way).

## After you save

The panel says **This import is complete.** and how many works are now in your catalogue. The next step is **Next: choose your societies**, or **See your next step** once you have chosen them. **View your works** shows the catalogue.

If some items are unresolved, the import stays open. Continue it from **Saved imports**, or from the **Unfinished import** card on **Today** with **Continue import**. **Discard import** sets it aside; if some works are already saved, its confirmation button reads **Skip the rest** and they stay.

## Undo an import

When an import has added works, choose **Undo this import**. In the **Confirm undo** window, choose the button that begins **Delete** and counts the works. The works leave every catalogue and stop counting towards your limit. Restore them from **Deleted works** under **All catalogues**: see [History, undo and deleted works](/docs/workspace/catalogue/history). Changes the import made to works you already had stay.

## Related

- [Import a spreadsheet](/docs/workspace/add-works/spreadsheet)
- [Import a CWR file](/docs/workspace/add-works/cwr-file)
- [Societies](/docs/workspace/settings/societies)