# Save and share favorites

{% hint style="success" %}
[Favorites](/basics/favorites/view-and-save-favorites.md) are one of the key features of Phocas.
{% endhint %}

When you change your view of the grid, filter the data, or create a chart during your analysis, you can save that view as a favorite. You can save multiple favorites and easily switch from one to another for quick access to the information that you need.

## Learn about favorites in Flex Modes

Favorites work a little differently in Flex Modes than in Analytics.

### Flex favorites on your homepage

In Flex Modes, saved favorites are sometimes referred to as *Flex favorites* to distinguish them from Analytics favorites. On your homepage and side navigation menu, Flex favorites have a different icon. In this page, the term *favorite* refers to favorites saved in Flex Modes unless otherwise specified.

<div align="left"><figure><img src="/files/pTEtvCozxliVFvQfMVUx" alt="" width="436"><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>

#### Updates

When you make changes to an existing favorite, a pink badge appears on the **Favorite controls** button (heart icon) to remind you to either:

* [update the existing favorite](#update-a-favorite), or
* [save the changes as a new favorite](#save-a-favorite-based-on-an-existing-favorite).

<div align="left"><figure><img src="/files/ByPZ9XTMPBojXRem8Wgd" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>

### Permissions and sharing

All **database permissions and restrictions** still apply in Flex Modes, regardless of whether you're using a favorite or who created it.

Unlike Analytics, standard **favorites user permissions** don't currently apply in Flex Modes. Users can only manage favorites they own.

#### Favorite owner

The person who created the favorite can:

* View the favorite
* Update the favorite&#x20;
* Delete the favorite&#x20;
* Share the favorite&#x20;
* Create a new favorite based on it

Users the favorite is shared with automatically see updates and lose access if the favorite is deleted.

#### Viewers

When a favorite is shared with a user, they can:

* View the favorite
* Create a new favorite based on it

They can't update, delete, or share the favorite.

### Dynamic periods

Favorites saved with dynamic periods automatically update over time.

For example:

* If Period 1 is set to **Last month** and you save the favorite in December, the favorite displays November data.
* When you open the same favorite in January, Period 1 still shows **Last month**, but the data updates to December.

## Save a new favorite <a href="#save-a-favorite" id="save-a-favorite"></a>

1. [Open a database in Flex Modes](/flex-modes/take-a-tour-of-flex-modes.md) and carry out your analysis (grid or chart view).
2. Do one of the following:
   * Click the blue arrow next to the database name and select **Save as favorite**.
   * Click the **Save as favorite** button (heart outline icon) on the toolbar.

     <figure><img src="/files/M2KAydCBGv2U5CndH9kc" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>
3. Enter a name for the favorite and click **Save**.

   <div align="left"><figure><img src="/files/ASYsqM2MUXu61HpM5QIt" alt="" width="203"><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>

After saving:

* The favorite name appears next to the database name.
* The favorite button changes to a full heart icon.

<figure><img src="/files/A9h1QP2jsVoh8MDl4v0I" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

## Save a favorite based on an existing favorite

Use this option to create a variation of an existing favorite, including one shared with you. This creates a separate new favorite.

1. Click either:
   * the blue arrow next to the favorite name, or
   * the **Favorite controls** button (heart icon)
2. Click **Save as new favorite**.
3. Enter a name.
4. Click **Save**.

## Update a favorite

Use this option to overwrite a favorite you own with your latest changes.

1. Click either:
   * the blue arrow next to the favorite name, or
   * the Favorite controls button (heart icon)
2. Click **Update favorite**.
3. Optionally change the favorite name.
4. Click **Save**.

## Share a favorite

{% hint style="warning" %}
Flex Modes has a basic [permissions](#permissions) and sharing model, so use caution when sharing favorites.
{% endhint %}

You can share favorites you own with selected users. Shared users can view the favorite but can’t edit or manage it.

1. Click the **Favorite controls** button (heart icon).
2. Click **Share favorite**.
3. Select the users to share with.
4. Click **Save**.

## Subscribe to a favorite

You can subscribe to a favorite to receive email notifications whenever the underlying data updates.

See [Subscriptions](/basics/getting-started/subscriptions.md).

## Delete a favorite

You can delete favorites you own from either of these locations:

**From within the favorite**:&#x20;

Either click the blue arrow next to the favorite name or click the **Favorite controls** button (heart icon), then click **Delete favorite** > **Delete**.

**From your homepage**:&#x20;

Locate the favorite, click its menu button, and then click **Delete** > **Delete**.


---

# Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation

If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter:

```
GET https://docs.phocassoftware.com/flex-modes/save-and-share-favorites.md?ask=<question>
```

The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.