TYPO3 DataHandler Operations

Source: https://github.com/dirnbauer/webconsulting-skills

Compatibility: TYPO3 v14.x All code examples in this skill are designed to work on TYPO3 v14.

TYPO3 API First: Always use TYPO3's built-in APIs, core features, and established conventions before creating custom implementations. Do not reinvent what TYPO3 already provides. Always verify that the APIs and methods you use exist and are not deprecated in TYPO3 v14 by checking the official TYPO3 documentation.

1. The Prime Directive

NEVER use raw SQL (INSERT, UPDATE, DELETE) for pages, tt_content, or any TCA-configured table.

You MUST use the DataHandler to ensure:

• Reference Index updates (sys_refindex)
• Cache clearing
• Version history (sys_history)
• Workspace compatibility
• Correct hook/event integration where Core defines it (see §9)
• FlexForm handling
• MM relation management

Exceptions (Raw SQL Allowed)

• Custom logging tables without TCA
• Bulk analytics/reporting queries (read-only)
• Migration scripts with explicit reference index rebuild

2. Structure of Arrays

The DataMap ($data)

Used for creating or updating records.

Syntax: $data[tableName][uid][fieldName] = value

Creating a New Record:

Use a unique string starting with NEW as the UID:

<?php
declare(strict_types=1);

$data = [
    'tt_content' => [
        'NEW_1' => [
            'pid' => 1,
            'CType' => 'text',
            'header' => 'My New Content Element',
            'bodytext' => '<p>Content goes here</p>',
            'sys_language_uid' => 0,
        ],
    ],
];

Updating an Existing Record:

Use the numeric UID:

<?php
declare(strict_types=1);

$data = [
    'tt_content' => [
        123 => [
            'header' => 'Updated Header',
            'hidden' => 0,
        ],
    ],
];

Referencing NEW Records:

<?php
declare(strict_types=1);

$data = [
    'pages' => [
        'NEW_page' => [
            'pid' => 1,
            'title' => 'New Page',
        ],
    ],
    'tt_content' => [
        'NEW_content' => [
            'pid' => 'NEW_page', // References the new page
            'CType' => 'text',
            'header' => 'Content on new page',
        ],
    ],
];

The CmdMap ($cmd)

Used for moving, copying, deleting, or undeleting records.

Syntax: $cmd[tableName][uid][command] = value

Delete a Record:

<?php
declare(strict_types=1);

$cmd = [
    'tt_content' => [
        123 => ['delete' => 1],
    ],
];

Move a Record:

<?php
declare(strict_types=1);

$cmd = [
    'tt_content' => [
        123 => ['move' => 456], // Target page UID; use negative UID to place after record
    ],
];

Copy a Record:

<?php
declare(strict_types=1);

$cmd = [
    'tt_content' => [
        123 => ['copy' => 1], // Target page UID
    ],
];

Localize a Record:

<?php
declare(strict_types=1);

$cmd = [
    'tt_content' => [
        123 => [
            'localize' => 1, // Target language UID
        ],
    ],
];

3. Execution Pattern

TYPO3's public DataHandler API for TYPO3 v14 is simply:

1. Obtain a DataHandler via GeneralUtility::makeInstance(DataHandler::class) per use — DataHandler holds state and must not be injected via dependency injection constructors; also avoid new DataHandler() so Core wiring (hooks, collaborators) stays consistent.
2. Call start($dataMap, $commandMap[, $backendUser[, $referenceIndexUpdater]]) before any process_* call. The 4th parameter exists but is @internal; extension code should normally use only the first 2-3 arguments.
3. Call process_datamap() and / or process_cmdmap()
4. Inspect $dataHandler->errorLog, verify expected keys in $dataHandler->substNEWwithIDs for new records, and (in workspaces) review $dataHandler->autoVersionIdMap when you expect version rows.

Cache: Prefer CacheManager / cache groups or PSR-14 cache events instead of legacy DataHandler cache helpers.

The official docs do not define a general transaction contract for DataHandler. In normal extension code, use the plain API first and only add your own transaction handling after carefully validating the database connections and side effects involved in your specific use case.

<?php
declare(strict_types=1);

namespace Vendor\Extension\Service;

use TYPO3\CMS\Core\DataHandling\DataHandler;
use TYPO3\CMS\Core\Utility\GeneralUtility;

final class ContentService
{
    public function createOrUpdateContent(array $data, array $cmd = []): array
    {
        /** @var DataHandler $dataHandler */
        $dataHandler = GeneralUtility::makeInstance(DataHandler::class);
        $dataHandler->start($data, $cmd);

        if ($data !== []) {
            $dataHandler->process_datamap();
        }

        if ($cmd !== []) {
            $dataHandler->process_cmdmap();
        }

        if ($dataHandler->errorLog !== []) {
            throw new \RuntimeException(
                'DataHandler error: ' . implode(', ', $dataHandler->errorLog),
                1700000001
            );
        }

        return $dataHandler->substNEWwithIDs;
    }
}

4. Backend Context

DataHandler requires a valid backend user context. It does not require you to manually fake admin mode by mutating $GLOBALS['BE_USER']->user.

• In CLI / scheduler contexts, initialize backend authentication before using DataHandler
• TYPO3 commands use the _cli_ backend user
• If you need another backend user, pass a proper BackendUserAuthentication object as the third argument to start()
• Use permission checks and a real backend user object instead of manually setting $GLOBALS['BE_USER']->user['admin'] = 1

CLI Command Setup (TYPO3 v14)

<?php
declare(strict_types=1);

namespace Vendor\Extension\Command;

use Symfony\Component\Console\Attribute\AsCommand;
use Symfony\Component\Console\Command\Command;
use Symfony\Component\Console\Input\InputInterface;
use Symfony\Component\Console\Output\OutputInterface;
use TYPO3\CMS\Core\Core\Bootstrap;

#[AsCommand(
    name: 'myext:import',
    description: 'Import data using DataHandler',
)]
final class ImportCommand extends Command
{
    protected function execute(InputInterface $input, OutputInterface $output): int
    {
        Bootstrap::initializeBackendAuthentication();

        // Your DataHandler logic here...

        return Command::SUCCESS;
    }
}

Using an Alternative Backend User

<?php
declare(strict_types=1);

use TYPO3\CMS\Core\Authentication\BackendUserAuthentication;
use TYPO3\CMS\Core\DataHandling\DataHandler;
use TYPO3\CMS\Core\Utility\GeneralUtility;

final class ImportService
{
    public function runAsUser(
        array $data,
        array $cmd,
        BackendUserAuthentication $backendUser
    ): void {
        /** @var DataHandler $dataHandler */
        $dataHandler = GeneralUtility::makeInstance(DataHandler::class);
        $dataHandler->start($data, $cmd, $backendUser);
        $dataHandler->process_datamap();
        $dataHandler->process_cmdmap();

        if ($dataHandler->errorLog !== []) {
            throw new \RuntimeException(
                'DataHandler error: ' . implode(', ', $dataHandler->errorLog),
                1700000001
            );
        }
    }
}

5. Reference Index Handling

For normal DataHandler writes, TYPO3 keeps the Reference Index in sync automatically. You usually do not need to call ReferenceIndex manually after ordinary process_datamap() / process_cmdmap() usage.

Manual Reference Index updates are primarily relevant for:

• Deployments and TYPO3 upgrades
• Changes to TCA-defined relations
• Migrations or scripts that bypass DataHandler
• Repair / maintenance scenarios

Rebuild the full Reference Index

vendor/bin/typo3 referenceindex:update

Update a specific record manually (discouraged)

In v14 both ReferenceIndex and updateRefIndexTable() are @internal — extensions shouldn't fiddle with the reference index themselves. Prefer vendor/bin/typo3 referenceindex:update or let DataHandler maintain the index. If you still call the internal API, expect it to change without deprecation:

<?php
declare(strict_types=1);

use TYPO3\CMS\Core\Database\ReferenceIndex;
use TYPO3\CMS\Core\Utility\GeneralUtility;

// @internal API — discouraged; prefer referenceindex:update or DataHandler
$referenceIndex = GeneralUtility::makeInstance(ReferenceIndex::class);
$referenceIndex->updateRefIndexTable('tt_content', 123);

Detailed Reference

Read the full guide when the task needs detailed examples, long templates, troubleshooting matrices, appendices, or sections not included above. Keep this file unloaded for narrow tasks so the skill follows progressive disclosure.