Why are my dropdown options or dataset records missing in development or production?

Short answer: Development and production are separate environments, and records don't move between them. Deploying an app moves its design, not its data.

Why it happens

• Records you add to a dataform in development stay in development.
• When you grant a dataset app access, apps get a blank copy with the fields and configuration only.

How to fix it

If a dropdown or lookup reads from a dataform:

1. Create the source records in the production dataform as well.
2. Check the dropdown or lookup in production after you add them.

If a shared dataset is empty in development:

1. Make sure app access is on for the dataset. In the dataset's Security settings, turn on Grant app access.

   

2. Open the dataset copy in the development environment.

3. Click Import CSV and upload the data you need for testing, or auto-generate sample records.

See app environments and grant app access.