By default, DataObjects for .NET works in batch update mode, standard in distributed applications (this is the only update mode available in ADO.NET). Database update is performed on explicit command from the user or application code, a special method call, when the user presses a button, for example. This method is Update. Between Update calls, data modifications done by the end user are cached on the client, in the C1DataSet object. The end user can freely navigate between data rows, modifying them. Multiple rows can be in a modified state at the same time. Batch update mode is the only update mode supported by ADO.NET and the standard .NET Windows Forms framework.

DataObjects for .NET also supports the classic automatic update mode. This mode, common in classic client-server and desktop applications, ensures that all changes made in the current row are committed to the database when the end user leaves this row and moves to another row in a table. This mode is not supported in ADO.NET and standard WinForms data binding. DataObjects for .NET adds yet another enhancement to the .NET data framework by implementing the automatic update mode. If you use C1DataTableSource as your data source, and set its UpdateLeavingRow property to True, it will perform update automatically when the end user leaves a row after modifying it.