diff --git a/stand.py b/stand.py
index a678e25..4eb5a11 100644
--- a/stand.py
+++ b/stand.py
@@ -29,19 +29,27 @@ df = restapi.data
 download(df)
 
 
+# if df in restapi changed, we need to reload it into aggrid.
+# if df in restapi did not change, we do not reload to ensure changes in the browser persist.
+
 response = aggrid(
     df,
     reload_data=changed
 )
 
 
+# if we reloaded, aggrid returns the df from before (why?), thus we do not update the restapi.
+# if we did not reload, aggrid may return an updated df from an edit in the browser,
+# and thus we need to update the restapi.
+
 new_df = response["data"]
 if not new_df.equals(df) and not changed:
-    restapi.data = new_df
+    restapi.data = df = new_df
 
 
-if not new_df.empty:
-    new_df.to_hdf("output.h5", key="data")
+if not df.empty:
+    print("<<< write hdf")
+    df.to_hdf("output.h5", key="data")
 
 
 print(">>> end of streamlit run")