> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.nested-knowledge.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.nested-knowledge.com/review-workflow/study-inspector/bulk-actions.md). # Bulk Actions Learn how to apply bulk actions to a set of studies. Study Inspector can be used for editing studies one at a time or in bulk. Here we cover Bulk Actions, including what actions are available and how to apply them. ### Run a Bulk Action {% stepper %} {% step %} #### Filter The Study List In **Study Inspector**, apply filters for the studies you need first. For example, use **Final Screening Status: Included** to select included studies. See [Filter Studies.](/review-workflow/study-inspector/filter-studies.md) {% hint style="danger" %} Always filter to your desired studies first. Otherwise you risk applying an action to unintended studies that cannot be reversed. {% endhint %} {% endstep %} {% step %} #### Open Bulk Actions Select **Bulk Actions** to open the **Bulk Actions** modal.

The Bulk Actions modal in Study Inspector.

{% endstep %} {% step %} #### Select An Action Select an action from the list, then follow its instructions. {% endstep %} {% endstepper %} ### Bulk Update Screening Decisions Select **Update Screening**. Depending on your access, admin or otherwise, you can edit your own decisions, final decisions, or both. Depending on your configured screening mode, you can edit abstract-level, full-text-level, or both. Choose a screening level, then set the new status: Included, Excluded, or Unscreened. If you choose Excluded, also select an exclusion reason to apply across the set. Admins unscreening a set of studies can also choose to unscreen a specific user's decisions. This is the only point in Bulk Actions where you can change a decision belonging to a user other than yourself. ### Bulk Add Or Remove Tags Select **Tagging**, then **Add** or **Remove**, then choose the tag to apply or remove across the filtered set. ### Bulk Update Module Status Select **Update Module Status**, then choose a module and set the new status to Complete or Incomplete. This changes only whether these studies appear in the corresponding sequential queue; it doesn't alter any tags applied or data already extracted. ### Bulk Document Import Select **Document Import**, then choose **Import from Unpaywall** or **Upload from your Device**. Bulk import directly from Article Galaxy isn't available. {% hint style="info" %} [Full Text Import](/review-workflow/screening/full-text-import.md) lives as its own menu item but, when used, automatically filters to Advanced or Included studies. Use Bulk Document Import when you need to bulk import full texts for records outside that filter. {% endhint %} **Import from Unpaywall** brings in open access PDFs automatically for the filtered set. Select the option and select **Apply.** Only studies with a full text available through the service are imported, and the modal reports how many were found. {% hint style="warning" %} Unpaywall.org supplies the open-access PDFs. However, it cannot retrieve PDFs that are behind a reCAPTCHA, so these must be uploaded manually. To find these pdfs, apply both the **Open Access Full Text** filter and **Full Text Status: Not Uploaded** filter. {% endhint %} **Upload from your device** lets you add PDFs you've already downloaded and auto-match them to records. Select or drag in the files, then choose whether they're full texts or supplements. Choose how matching happens: * **Via auto-extracted data** — matches automatically by the title and DOI found within each PDF, with no need to align file names to records. * **Via Ref ID** — matches by the record's Ref ID, the number assigned by upload order. The PDF file names must include the matching Ref ID. * **Via External ID** — matches by a custom external identifier; each PDF file name must contain only that identifier. Optionally, request a completion email, then select **Apply**. Files are auto-matched against records in the nest. If any fail to match, the email reports how many and which ones. ### Bulk Document Deletion Select **Document Deletion**, choose full texts, supplements, or both, and select **Apply** to remove them from the filtered set. ### Bulk Apply Tags From Data Elements Data elements can be extracted in MA Extraction without the corresponding tag ever having been applied during Tagging/Extraction. For instance, if only quantitative data mattered at the time. This action back-fills the tag wherever a data element exists but the tag doesn't, so that data also displays in places like [Qualitative Synthesis](/review-workflow/synthesis/navigate-synthesis-outputs/qualitative-synthesis.md) and the [Dashboard in Synthesis](/review-workflow/synthesis/navigate-synthesis-outputs/dashboard-in-synthesis.md). Select **Tag with Extracted Elements**, then **Apply**. This doesn't overwrite any tag already present on a study. Because no supporting text gets attached to a back-propagated tag this way, review affected studies afterward if you rely on tag annotations for interpretation. ### Bulk Update Full-Text Review Status Applicable only to Standard Screening modes. In Two Pass modes, full text review status updates automatically once a record has a Full Text Screening decision. Select **Update Full-Text Review**, then set the status to Reviewed or Not Reviewed. In Dual Screening, also choose whether to apply this to reviewer decisions or final decisions. ### Bulk Sync Bibliographic Data This action refreshes a group of records' bibliographic data from PubMed, CrossRef, or, with an organizational Embase integration, Embase, overwriting any fields that don't match. Filter to the studies that need updating, select **Sync Bibliographic Data**, and select **Apply**. ### Bulk Convert Screening Decisions This action converts existing screening decisions when a nest moves from a **Single** screening mode to the equivalent **Dual** mode — for example, a review that started under Single Standard or Single Two Pass and later needs a second reviewer seat added. This action currently supports **Single-to-Dual** **conversion only** — there's no equivalent action to convert a Dual-mode nest back down to Single. ### Review Bulk Actions History Open the **History** tab to see every Bulk Action run by anyone in the nest. Select **View Records** on any entry to filter Study Inspector to the studies it affected. Only updated screening decisions can be undone from here; every other Bulk Action requires a follow-up Bulk Action or individual edits to reverse. ### FAQs

Can I undo a Bulk Action?

Only updated screening decisions can be undone, from the Bulk Actions History tab. Every other Bulk Action needs a follow-up Bulk Action or individual study edits to reverse, so confirm your filter carefully before running one.

What happens if I run a Bulk Action before filtering?

It applies to whatever's currently shown in Study Inspector, which could be your entire nest if no filters are set. **Always filter first.**

Can I bulk-edit another reviewer's screening decision?

Only as an admin, and only when bulk-unscreening: admins can choose to unscreen a specific user's decisions. Otherwise, Bulk Actions only affects your own decisions and final decisions you're permitted to edit.

Does updating module status change tags or extracted data?

No. It only changes whether affected studies appear in that module's sequential queue.

### Next Steps


Filter Studies	Find the studies you need before running a bulk action.	Filter Studies
View and Edit Studies	Update studies individually when a bulk action isn't suitable.	View and Edit Studies
Download from Inspector	Export the studies in your current filter.	Download from Inspector

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