# How can I update my private list?

Once you’ve uploaded your data, you need to update your private list as the data changes.

The upload of your private list works via **incremental updates**. Whenever you add, edit, or delete data from your private list, you want to update the corresponding records, so they reflect the latest state of your data.

## Tracking each record with a unique identifier

To perform incremental updates, you need to declare a **unique identifier** for each record so you can track what data matches what record.

You need to store the unique identifier in the `dataID` attribute so you can leverage it to perform updates or deletions.

## Adding records

Whenever you need to add new data to your private list, you can do so with a regular [CSV file upload](https://help.screena.ai/resources/faq/watchlists/is-there-a-template-to-upload-private-lists-into-screena) by creating a new record associated with a new unique identifier `dataID`.

## Updating records

When saving a record in Screena, if a record with the specified `dataID` already exists in your private list, the engine replaces it. You can update an existing record using this method with a regular [CSV file upload](https://help.screena.ai/resources/faq/watchlists/is-there-a-template-to-upload-private-lists-into-screena) and specifying the `dataID`.

## (In)activating records

Screena allows you to manage the activation and inactivation of one to many records into your private list with a regular [CSV file upload](https://help.screena.ai/resources/faq/watchlists/is-there-a-template-to-upload-private-lists-into-screena). This method removes records from the matching process without permanently deleting them. This effectively means you can activate and reactivate relevant records anytime.

The activation and inactivation of a record are done via the attribute `active`:

* If `active` is `true`, the record is active and can be searched and matched upon.
* If `active` is `false`, the record can't be matched or searched.
* If `active` is not provided, Screena will set the parameter to true.

{% hint style="info" %}
To ensure full traceability of data, Screena does not allow hard deletion of records.
{% endhint %}