Umbraco 13: Shared List Data Type Bug - Unchecked Items

Hey everyone! Let's dive into a tricky issue some of you might be facing in Umbraco 13. This article will provide detailed insights into a bug related to updating shared list data types, specifically how it can cause previously selected items to become unchecked. If you've encountered this problem, you're in the right place! We'll break down the specifics, steps to reproduce, and expected versus actual results. So, let’s get started and figure out how to navigate this together.

Understanding the Bug in Umbraco 13

So, you're using Umbraco 13, specifically version 13.11.0-rc, and you've noticed something funky with your shared list data types, like checkbox lists or dropdowns. The main issue? Whenever you update a shared list data type by renaming or reordering items, those modified items become unchecked in your content nodes, even if they were previously selected. This can be a real headache, especially when you've got a lot of content relying on these selections. It’s like Umbraco is treating the updated item as a brand-new entry, forgetting that it was selected before. This data inconsistency can lead to some serious manual work, requiring you to go back and re-select items across multiple content nodes. Think of it like this: you’ve carefully chosen your options, made an update, and suddenly, it’s like your choices have vanished into thin air. This unexpected behavior not only disrupts your workflow but also introduces the risk of overlooking crucial content selections. The core problem lies in how Umbraco handles updates to shared list data types, leading to a disconnect between the stored selections and the modified items. This means that every time you tweak your list, you're potentially creating extra work for yourself and your team. Let's dive deeper into the specifics to really understand what's going on under the hood and how to avoid these pitfalls.

Specifics of the Issue

Let’s get into the nitty-gritty details. In Umbraco 13, when you're working with shared list data types—think checkbox lists, dropdowns, and similar controls—any modifications to an item can trigger this unchecking behavior. This means that even a simple rename or reorder can cause the item to be deselected in your content nodes. Imagine you have a list of categories for your blog posts, and you decide to rename one of them to be more descriptive. Sounds harmless, right? But if that category was selected in several blog posts, boom, it's now unchecked. This happens because Umbraco seems to treat the updated item as a new entry rather than recognizing it as the same item with a different label or position. The underlying value might not have changed, but the system still sees it as a new selection. This can be particularly frustrating because it's not always obvious why this is happening. You might think you’re making a minor tweak, but behind the scenes, it's causing a ripple effect across your content. It's crucial to understand this behavior because it directly impacts data integrity. If items are being deselected without your knowledge, your content might not display correctly, or you might lose important information. For example, if you’re using these selections to filter content, suddenly those filters might not work as expected. So, keeping a close eye on your shared list data types and understanding how updates affect your content is key to avoiding these issues. Now, let’s walk through the steps to reproduce this bug so you can see it in action and know what to look out for.

Steps to Reproduce the Bug

Okay, let's walk through the steps to reproduce this bug so you can see it in action. This will help you understand exactly what's happening and how to avoid it. Follow these steps closely, and you’ll be able to replicate the issue in your own Umbraco 13 environment.

1. Create a Shared List Data Type: First things first, you'll need to create a shared list data type. Go to the "Settings" section in Umbraco, then navigate to "Data Types" and create a new one. Choose a type like "Checkbox List" or "Dropdown List"—whichever you prefer for this demonstration. Add several items to the list, giving each a distinct value and label. For example, if you're creating a checkbox list for categories, you might add items like “News,” “Events,” and “Blog.”
2. Use the Data Type in a Document Type: Now that you have your shared list data type, you need to use it in a document type. Go to the "Settings" section again, and this time, navigate to "Document Types." Create a new document type or edit an existing one. Add a new property and select your newly created shared list data type as the property editor. This will allow you to use the list in your content nodes.
3. Select Items in a Content Node: With your document type set up, it’s time to create or edit a content node. Go to the "Content" section and create a new page or edit an existing one that uses your document type. You should see the property you added with the shared list data type. Select a few items from the list—this is where you're setting the initial selections that will be affected by the bug.
4. Rename or Reorder an Item: Here’s where the magic (or rather, the bug) happens. Go back to the "Settings" section and navigate to your shared list data type. Find one of the items you selected in the content node and either rename it or change its order in the list. This is the modification that triggers the issue.
5. Check the Content Node: Finally, go back to your content node in the "Content" section. Open the page you edited earlier and check the property with the shared list data type. You should see that the item you renamed or reordered is now unchecked, even though it was selected before. Voila! You've reproduced the bug.

By following these steps, you can clearly see how updating a shared list data type can lead to unexpected results in your content. This hands-on approach helps you understand the problem and prepares you to deal with it effectively. Now that you've seen the bug in action, let's talk about the expected versus actual results, which will further clarify the issue.

Expected Result vs. Actual Result

Let's break down what should happen versus what actually happens when you update a shared list data type in Umbraco 13. Understanding this discrepancy is key to recognizing the bug and its impact on your content.

Expected Behavior: The ideal scenario is that when you update an item in a shared list data type—whether by renaming or reordering—the selection should be retained in the content nodes where it was previously selected. In other words, if the underlying value of the item hasn't changed, the system should recognize it as the same item, even if its label or position has been modified. This ensures data consistency and prevents unexpected loss of selections. For example, if you rename a category from "Latest News" to "Breaking News," any content tagged with that category should still be tagged after the rename. The relationship between the content and the item should persist seamlessly. This is how you’d expect a content management system to handle updates: preserving the integrity of your data and selections across the board. It’s all about making changes without causing disruption.

Actual Behavior: Unfortunately, the reality in Umbraco 13 (specifically version 13.11.0-rc) is quite different. When you rename or reorder an item in a shared list data type, the item becomes unchecked in the content nodes where it was previously selected. This is despite the underlying value remaining the same. It’s as if Umbraco treats the updated item as a brand-new entry, effectively severing the connection with the previous selection. This means that your content might suddenly lose important tags, categories, or other selections, leading to potential inaccuracies and inconsistencies. Imagine the frustration of updating a list of product features, only to find that those features are no longer selected on your product pages. The actual behavior not only creates extra work for content editors but also introduces the risk of overlooking these deselected items, which can have a significant impact on your website's functionality and user experience. This unexpected outcome highlights the importance of being aware of this bug and taking preventive measures to mitigate its effects. So, what can you do about it? Let’s explore some potential workarounds and solutions to help you navigate this issue.

I hope this article has shed some light on the shared list data type bug in Umbraco 13. By understanding the specifics, steps to reproduce, and the discrepancy between expected and actual results, you're now better equipped to handle this issue. Stay tuned for more updates and potential solutions as the Umbraco community continues to address this bug. Happy content managing, everyone!