---
title: Live and test records
url: https://www.tines.com/docs/records/live-and-test-records/
updated: 2025-11-14T20:41:46+00:00
---

*[tines.com](https://www.tines.com/llms.txt) › [Docs](https://www.tines.com/llms.txt) › [Records](https://www.tines.com/llm/docs/records.md)*

# Live and test records

*[View on tines.com](https://www.tines.com/docs/records/live-and-test-records/)*

Tines records are a great way to capture and store data for use within stories. In some situations, you may want to capture and interact with **live** records, which are used with other stories and dashboards, or **test** records, which can help ensure your story operates as expected.

## Viewing test records

Each record type supports a **live** or **test** record classification. This classification ensures that you can: 

1. Avoid contaminating your live records and dashboards when testing your story
2. Populate a draft story with live record data

> **INFO:** Classifying a record as **live** or **test** permanently segregates that record in the record table and assigns an immutable Record ID. Once a record is created, is distinct and cannot be moved between classifications.

To view your live or test records, use the toggle within the Records table.

[Video](https://stream.mux.com/hreZZ01ezt6oQLjKT008f9tZT7jT02su8M2/high.mp4)

## "Live mode" toggle

The record tile on your story board has five operational modes: `Create`, `Update`, `Delete`, `List`, and `Get`.

The `List` and `Get` modes can be configured to explicitly interact with **live** or **test** records via the "**Live mode**" toggle.

[Video](https://stream.mux.com/cbKZYpdgHI202DIQ2KygS6IAdFYQpS2pX/high.mp4)

## Change control

When using [change control](https://www.tines.com/docs/change-control/), the record tile modifies either the **live** or **test** record tables depending on whether the story is a draft or live.

### Draft story mode

When working within a "draft" story, the record tile modifies the **test** record table by default.

#### **Inherent record classification**

- `Create`: This mode creates a **test** record only.
- `Update`:** **This mode updates a specific **test** record based on the `Record ID` field. If the record ID does not exist in the **test** record table, the update action fails.
- `Delete`:** **This mode deletes a specific **test** record based on the `Record ID` field if. If the record ID does not exist in the **test** record table, the delete action fails.

#### Explicit record classification

- `List`: The "live mode" toggle automatically defaults to `off`, then lists all **test** records that meet the filter criteria.
- `Get`: The "live mode" toggle automatically default to `off`, then returns a specific **test** record based on the `Record ID` field.

[Video](https://stream.mux.com/Bj4AfQ2R00Xt3fRvvvujnESgpwoJSMn4b/high.mp4)

### **Live story mode**

When the draft story is published, the `Create`, `Update`, `Delete`, `List`, and `Get` record modes will interact with **live** records by default.

#### **Inherent record classification**

- `Create`:** **This mode creates a **live** record only.
- `Update`:** **This mode updates a specific **live** record based on the `Record ID` field. If the record ID does not exist in the **live** record table, the update action will fail.
- `Delete`:** **This mode deletes a specific **live** record based on the `Record ID` field if. If the record ID does not exist in the **live** record table, the delete action will fail.

#### Explicit record classification

- `List`: The "live mode" toggle automatically defaults to `on`, then lists all **live** records that meet the filter criteria.
- `Get`: The "live mode" toggle automatically defaults to `on`, then returns a specific **live** record based on the `Record ID` field.

## "Live mode" override

When using the `Get` and `List` record modes, the "live mode" toggle setting can be overriden.

This allows you to request **live** records while in a draft story, or **test** records when change control is disabled (or if unavailable).

> **WARNING:**
> If you manually toggle the "live mode" on or off, the selection will permanently be configured. This means the "live mode" toggle no longer automatically update to:
> 
> -   `off` when creating or updating a draft story
> -   `on` when publishing a draft story to live

[Video](https://stream.mux.com/yDKRWh1bPisyTaqdTYoeC56vvqkAY1Ec/high.mp4)