# Upload Collection Object Attributes via WorkBench in existing Collection Object

**URL:** <https://speciforum.org/t/upload-collection-object-attributes-via-workbench-in-existing-collection-object/3623>\
**Category:** Get Help\
**Created:** [May 15, 2026, 8:37pm UTC](https://speciforum.org/t/upload-collection-object-attributes-via-workbench-in-existing-collection-object/3623 "2026-05-15T20:37:06Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![MFKouk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b5e925/32.png) [@MFKouk](https://speciforum.org/u/MFKouk)\
**Post date:** [May 15, 2026, 8:37pm UTC](https://speciforum.org/t/upload-collection-object-attributes-via-workbench-in-existing-collection-object/3623/1 "2026-05-15T20:37:06Z")

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As a workflow scenario, we have uploaded a batch of Collection Objects with some primary data into Specify. Now we try to investgate if we can upload some additional data using fields from the Collection Object Attributes table.  
Is it possible to use the Workbench to fill in the Collection Object Attributes via import in the Collection Object Attributes table at a later time or do we have to manually record the information?

We already tried, but it seems to think that it needs to create new Collection Object records with Catalog Numbers already in the database.  
It there a workaround?

 ![image](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex029/uploads/specifysoftware/original/2X/0/0c688b37334dc1fc1b6484507997c1f4a7f98360.png)

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**Author:** ![bronwyn](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex029/user_avatar/speciforum.org/bronwyn/32/5742_2.png) [@bronwyn](https://speciforum.org/u/bronwyn)\
**Post date:** [May 15, 2026, 9:28pm UTC](https://speciforum.org/t/upload-collection-object-attributes-via-workbench-in-existing-collection-object/3623/4 "2026-05-15T21:28:08Z")

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Hi @MFKouk,

WorkBench is best for uploading new records to the database. Although the Catalog Number field can be used to associate new records with existing Collection Objects in the WorkBench, this does not work for all relationships.  
For a to-one dependent relationship like Collection Object Attribute has with the Collection Object, we recommend using Batch Edit to add attribute records to Collection Objects.

Batch Editing Documentation:

- [Batch Edit](https://speciforum.org/t/batch-edit/2248)
- [Expected Behavior in Batch Edit](https://speciforum.org/t/expected-behavior-in-batch-edit/2634)

Please let us know of any further questions you might have!

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**Author:** ![system](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex029/uploads/specifysoftware/original/2X/1/18a843c97bc32b40e8ad0e035755bc88ffaacaf7.svg) [@system](https://speciforum.org/u/system)\
**Post date:** [June 11, 2026, 5:09pm UTC](https://speciforum.org/t/upload-collection-object-attributes-via-workbench-in-existing-collection-object/3623/5 "2026-06-11T17:09:14Z")

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Closed on June 11, 2026, 5:09pm UTC

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