---
title: "Update an item, a tree of items or a database"
slug: "update-an-item-a-tree-of-items-or-a-database"
abstract: "Learn how to update single or multiple items."
---
# Update an item, a tree of items or a database

You can update items with the information that is stored in the text files in the file system.

<details>
<summary><h2>Updating rules</h2></summary>

When you update items, Sitecore merges the changes from the text files with the current database items according to these rules:

- If an item or an item version exists in the file system, but there is no such item or item version in the database, Sitecore adds it to the database.
- If an item or an item version exists in the database but there is no such item or item version in the file system, Sitecore does not remove it from the database.
- Sitecore does not overwrite the following information about the item:
    - Item name
    - Template ID
    - Origin ID
    - Parent ID
- If an item version that is loaded from the file system contains the same number and language version, Sitecore only overwrites the existing item version if the date in the new item in the Updated field is later in the current one.

</details>

<details>
<summary><h2>Update an item or a database</h2></summary>

In Sitecore, you can update an item or a whole database.

To update an item from the text file:

1. In the **Content Editor**, select the item that you want to update.
2. On the **Developer** tab, in the **Serialize** group, click **Update Item**.

To update an item with all its subitems from the file system:

1. In the **Content Editor**, select the parent item that you want to update with all its subitems.
2. On the **Developer** tab, in the **Serialize** group, click **Update Tree**.

To update the whole database:

1. In the **Content Editor**, select any item.
2. On the **Developer** tab, in the **Serialize** group, click **Update Database**.

</details>