How to Configure and Use Bulk Update in Horilla List View

Managing HR data often means dealing with dozens, or even hundreds, of records at once. Updating them one by one can be frustrating and time-consuming. That’s where the Bulk Update feature in Horilla HRMS (introduced in v2) comes in. With this option, you can update multiple records directly from the List View, saving both effort and time.

In this blog, we’ll go step by step through the process of setting up Bulk Update in Horilla List View, configuring the fields you want to update, and finally applying it in action.

Step 1: Enable the Bulk Update Option

By default, the Bulk Update option is enabled in HorillaListView. However, enabling it is only the first step; you also need to specify which fields should be available for bulk updating.

When you check inside HorillaListView.

class HorillaListView(ListView):
"""
HorillaListView
"""
…
bulk_update: bool = True
…

Step 2: Configure Fields for Bulk Update

To make Bulk Update useful, you must define the fields that can be edited in bulk.

In your model configuration, you’ll add the bulk_update_fields attribute.

This is essentially a list of field names (as strings) that you want to allow for bulk changes.

For example(Inside HLV child class):

class LeaveRequestsListView(HorillaListView):
    """
    Lits view of the page
    """
    ...
    bulk_update = True
    bulk_update_fields = ["status",]
    ...

Here:

status is the fields allowed for bulk updating. You can list as many fields as you like, depending on the model (e.g., Employee, Leave, Attendance, Shift) mapped with the ListView.

This setup tells Horilla which data columns users will be able to edit in one go.

Step 3: Refresh the List View

Once you have added the fields in your model to the bulk update fields:

• Go to the List View of the module (for example, Leave Requests).
• Reload the page.
• Select the records you want to update.
• You’ll now see a new Update button appear once you select one or more records.

Step 4: Apply Bulk Updates

Here’s how the feature works in action:

• Select multiple rows from the List View.
• Click the Update option.
• A small form will appear with the fields you configured earlier (status,).
• Enter the new values you want to apply.
• Save the popup.

Step 5: Flexibility with Updates

Bulk Update in Horilla is designed with flexibility in mind:

• You don’t need to update all fields at once.
• In case you having multiple fields inside update fields and you only want to change the some specific then the field only changed, keep other fields empty
• Similarly, if you just want to update the date, you can leave other fields untouched(If you added the requested_date).
• This ensures that updates are precise and do not overwrite unrelated data.

Why Bulk Update Matters

The Bulk Update feature is a major productivity boost for HR teams:

• Saves time: No need to open each record individually.
• Reduces errors: Fewer clicks and manual edits mean fewer mistakes.
• Increases flexibility: Update one or multiple fields, depending on your needs.
• Scales easily: Works seamlessly whether you’re updating 5 records or 500.

Conclusion

The Bulk Update feature in Horilla HRMS v2 transforms how HR teams manage data inside the List View. With a simple configuration of bulk_update and bulk_update_fields, you can empower your users to update multiple records at once. Whether you’re changing shifts, updating leave requests, or managing employee details, Bulk Update ensures that tasks are faster, smoother, and less error-prone.

As Horilla continues to evolve, features like Bulk Update highlight the platform’s commitment to making HR management both powerful and user-friendly.