# Is it possible to use symbols with references and approve/reject changes? **URL:** \ **Category:** General\ **Created:** [February 22, 2025, 5:44pm UTC](https://forum.builder.io/t/is-it-possible-to-use-symbols-with-references-and-approve-reject-changes/12958 "2025-02-22T17:44:03Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 4\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![mateuszad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/74df32/32.png) [@mateuszad](https://forum.builder.io/u/mateuszad)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2025, 5:44pm UTC](https://forum.builder.io/t/is-it-possible-to-use-symbols-with-references-and-approve-reject-changes/12958/1 "2025-02-22T17:44:03Z")
Hi everyone, I’m exploring the use of symbols in [Builder.io](http://Builder.io) and was wondering if there’s a way to use them with references in a more flexible way. Specifically, I’d like to insert the same symbol on multiple pages, but when I update the symbol on one page, I want the ability to either accept or reject those changes on other pages where the symbol is used. Right now, from what I understand, symbols update globally when modified, but I’m looking for a way to make changes more controlled—so that I can decide whether to apply updates on each instance of the symbol separately. Is there a built-in way to achieve this in [Builder.io](http://Builder.io)? Or would this require a custom implementation? Thanks in advance for any guidance! ---
**Author:** ![Fernando](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/779978/32.png) [@Fernando](https://forum.builder.io/u/Fernando)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2025, 10:50am UTC](https://forum.builder.io/t/is-it-possible-to-use-symbols-with-references-and-approve-reject-changes/12958/3 "2025-02-24T10:50:35Z")
Hello Mateusz, Thank you for your question in our [Builder.io](http://Builder.io) forum. We are checking this question about symbols, and we will update you. Thank you, ---
**Author:** ![TimG](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex020/user_avatar/forum.builder.io/timg/32/714_2.png) [@TimG](https://forum.builder.io/u/TimG)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2025, 8:13pm UTC](https://forum.builder.io/t/is-it-possible-to-use-symbols-with-references-and-approve-reject-changes/12958/4 "2025-02-24T20:13:57Z")
Hi @mateuszad Thanks for reaching out and for this question! Currently this is not explicitly supported with Symbols, but there are ways you could achieve something similar. The flow I would recommend is anytime you want to implement a version change of a symbol is instead create a duplicate of the symbol So `MySymbol` → `My Symbol v2` From there you can search your content for instances where `MySymbol` exists… luckily this is possible to do by querying the meta object on a content JSON `meta.symbolsUsed`, so you could fetch page models using a specific symbol with id of `12345` by querying [https://cdn.builder.io/api/v3/content/page?apiKey=MY\_API\_KEY&query.meta.symbolsUsed.12345=true](https://cdn.builder.io/api/v3/content/page?apiKey=MY_API_KEY&query.meta.symbolsUsed.12345=true) then go into those entries that get returned, update the symbol to `MySymbol v2` and then go from there. It is a bit manual currently, but should achieve what you want! If you think there could be a better workflow, I would recommend raising a feature request at [https://ideas.builder.io/](https://ideas.builder.io/) to share with our product team! ---
**Author:** ![HusnainCH](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/ec9cab/32.png) [@HusnainCH](https://forum.builder.io/u/HusnainCH)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2025, 5:32am UTC](https://forum.builder.io/t/is-it-possible-to-use-symbols-with-references-and-approve-reject-changes/12958/5 "2025-05-26T05:32:56Z")
### ❌ **What You Asked For (Approve/Reject per Instance)** [Builder.io](http://Builder.io) **does not natively support per-instance symbol updates** where you can accept or reject changes like in design systems (e.g., Figma components with overrides and instance detachment). * * * ### ✅ **Workarounds You Can Try:** 1. **Duplicate the Symbol for Version Control** - Create a copy of the symbol (`Symbol v1`, `Symbol v2`, etc.) - Use the version you want per page. - Downside: You have to manage versions manually. 1. **Convert Symbol to Regular Content** - On a specific page, you can **detach the symbol** (by converting it to a regular group/component). - Then edit that instance without affecting others. - Downside: Loses reusability. 1. **Use Custom Code with Inputs/References** - If you need controlled updates, create a symbol that uses **bindings or custom inputs** , and pass different props to control versions. - This requires more planning and likely dev help. * * * ### 💡 [Builder.io](http://Builder.io) Team’s Suggestion (from their own reply): > Duplicate the symbol anytime you want to make a version change, rather than edit the original symbol directly. * * * ### ✅ Summary - Builder **does not support approve/reject changes per symbol instance**. - You can: - Duplicate the symbol for different versions. - Detach it if you want local-only changes. - Use inputs/references for advanced control (custom setup).