diff --git a/qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/actions/tables/InsertAction.java b/qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/actions/tables/InsertAction.java
index e91b1440..95b8cdbe 100644
--- a/qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/actions/tables/InsertAction.java
+++ b/qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/actions/tables/InsertAction.java
@@ -168,7 +168,12 @@ public class InsertAction extends AbstractQActionFunction<InsertInput, InsertOut
 
       ValueBehaviorApplier.applyFieldBehaviors(insertInput.getInstance(), table, insertInput.getRecords());
       setErrorsIfUniqueKeyErrors(insertInput, table);
-      validateRequiredFields(insertInput);
+
+      if(insertInput.getInputSource().shouldValidateRequiredFields())
+      {
+         validateRequiredFields(insertInput);
+      }
+
       ValidateRecordSecurityLockHelper.validateSecurityFields(insertInput.getTable(), insertInput.getRecords(), ValidateRecordSecurityLockHelper.Action.INSERT);
 
       ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
diff --git a/qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/actions/tables/UpdateAction.java b/qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/actions/tables/UpdateAction.java
index 500be556..aa3abccc 100644
--- a/qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/actions/tables/UpdateAction.java
+++ b/qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/actions/tables/UpdateAction.java
@@ -187,7 +187,11 @@ public class UpdateAction
          validateRecordsExistAndCanBeAccessed(updateInput, oldRecordList.get());
       }
 
-      validateRequiredFields(updateInput);
+      if(updateInput.getInputSource().shouldValidateRequiredFields())
+      {
+         validateRequiredFields(updateInput);
+      }
+
       ValidateRecordSecurityLockHelper.validateSecurityFields(table, updateInput.getRecords(), ValidateRecordSecurityLockHelper.Action.UPDATE);
 
       ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
diff --git a/qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/instances/QInstanceEnricher.java b/qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/instances/QInstanceEnricher.java
index c8ea8a60..c55dd441 100644
--- a/qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/instances/QInstanceEnricher.java
+++ b/qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/instances/QInstanceEnricher.java
@@ -70,9 +70,9 @@ import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.processes.implementations.bulk.delete.Bulk
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.processes.implementations.bulk.edit.BulkEditLoadStep;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.processes.implementations.bulk.edit.BulkEditTransformStep;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.processes.implementations.bulk.insert.BulkInsertExtractStep;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.processes.implementations.bulk.insert.BulkInsertLoadStep;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.processes.implementations.bulk.insert.BulkInsertTransformStep;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.processes.implementations.etl.streamedwithfrontend.ExtractViaQueryStep;
-import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.processes.implementations.etl.streamedwithfrontend.LoadViaInsertStep;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.processes.implementations.etl.streamedwithfrontend.StreamedETLWithFrontendProcess;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.utils.CollectionUtils;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.utils.StringUtils;
@@ -697,7 +697,7 @@ public class QInstanceEnricher
       QProcessMetaData process = StreamedETLWithFrontendProcess.defineProcessMetaData(
             BulkInsertExtractStep.class,
             BulkInsertTransformStep.class,
-            LoadViaInsertStep.class,
+            BulkInsertLoadStep.class,
             values
          )
          .withName(processName)
diff --git a/qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/model/actions/tables/InputSource.java b/qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/model/actions/tables/InputSource.java
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..60a236d2
--- /dev/null
+++ b/qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/model/actions/tables/InputSource.java
@@ -0,0 +1,43 @@
+/*
+ * QQQ - Low-code Application Framework for Engineers.
+ * Copyright (C) 2021-2023.  Kingsrook, LLC
+ * 651 N Broad St Ste 205 # 6917 | Middletown DE 19709 | United States
+ * contact@kingsrook.com
+ * https://github.com/Kingsrook/
+ *
+ * This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
+ * it under the terms of the GNU Affero General Public License as
+ * published by the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the
+ * License, or (at your option) any later version.
+ *
+ * This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+ * but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+ * MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
+ * GNU Affero General Public License for more details.
+ *
+ * You should have received a copy of the GNU Affero General Public License
+ * along with this program.  If not, see <https://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+ */
+
+package com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.tables;
+
+
+/*******************************************************************************
+ ** interface to define input sources - idea being, so QQQ can have its standard
+ ** ones (see QInputSource), but applications can define their own as well.
+ **
+ ** We might imagine things like a user's session dictating what InputSource
+ ** gets passed into all DML actions.  Or perhaps API meta-data, or just a method
+ ** on QInstance in the future?
+ **
+ ** We might imagine, maybe, more methods growing in the future...
+ *******************************************************************************/
+public interface InputSource
+{
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   boolean shouldValidateRequiredFields();
+
+}
diff --git a/qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/model/actions/tables/QInputSource.java b/qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/model/actions/tables/QInputSource.java
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..854c18cc
--- /dev/null
+++ b/qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/model/actions/tables/QInputSource.java
@@ -0,0 +1,56 @@
+/*
+ * QQQ - Low-code Application Framework for Engineers.
+ * Copyright (C) 2021-2023.  Kingsrook, LLC
+ * 651 N Broad St Ste 205 # 6917 | Middletown DE 19709 | United States
+ * contact@kingsrook.com
+ * https://github.com/Kingsrook/
+ *
+ * This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
+ * it under the terms of the GNU Affero General Public License as
+ * published by the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the
+ * License, or (at your option) any later version.
+ *
+ * This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+ * but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+ * MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
+ * GNU Affero General Public License for more details.
+ *
+ * You should have received a copy of the GNU Affero General Public License
+ * along with this program.  If not, see <https://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+ */
+
+package com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.tables;
+
+
+/*******************************************************************************
+ ** QQQ standard input sources -- the system, or users.
+ *******************************************************************************/
+public enum QInputSource implements InputSource
+{
+   SYSTEM(true),
+   USER(true);
+
+
+   private final boolean shouldValidateRequiredFields;
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   QInputSource(boolean shouldValidateRequiredFields)
+   {
+      this.shouldValidateRequiredFields = shouldValidateRequiredFields;
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   @Override
+   public boolean shouldValidateRequiredFields()
+   {
+      return (this.shouldValidateRequiredFields);
+   }
+}
diff --git a/qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/model/actions/tables/delete/DeleteInput.java b/qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/model/actions/tables/delete/DeleteInput.java
index 7ffcb203..53e3af78 100644
--- a/qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/model/actions/tables/delete/DeleteInput.java
+++ b/qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/model/actions/tables/delete/DeleteInput.java
@@ -26,6 +26,8 @@ import java.io.Serializable;
 import java.util.List;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.QBackendTransaction;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.AbstractTableActionInput;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.tables.InputSource;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.tables.QInputSource;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.tables.query.QQueryFilter;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.utils.collections.MutableList;
 
@@ -39,6 +41,7 @@ public class DeleteInput extends AbstractTableActionInput
    private QBackendTransaction transaction;
    private List<Serializable>  primaryKeys;
    private QQueryFilter        queryFilter;
+   private InputSource         inputSource = QInputSource.SYSTEM;
 
 
 
@@ -154,4 +157,35 @@ public class DeleteInput extends AbstractTableActionInput
       return this;
    }
 
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** Getter for inputSource
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public InputSource getInputSource()
+   {
+      return (this.inputSource);
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** Setter for inputSource
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public void setInputSource(InputSource inputSource)
+   {
+      this.inputSource = inputSource;
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** Fluent setter for inputSource
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public DeleteInput withInputSource(InputSource inputSource)
+   {
+      this.inputSource = inputSource;
+      return (this);
+   }
+
 }
diff --git a/qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/model/actions/tables/insert/InsertInput.java b/qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/model/actions/tables/insert/InsertInput.java
index fa716a79..9a0492a6 100644
--- a/qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/model/actions/tables/insert/InsertInput.java
+++ b/qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/model/actions/tables/insert/InsertInput.java
@@ -25,6 +25,8 @@ package com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.tables.insert;
 import java.util.List;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.QBackendTransaction;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.AbstractTableActionInput;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.tables.InputSource;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.tables.QInputSource;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.data.QRecord;
 
 
@@ -36,6 +38,7 @@ public class InsertInput extends AbstractTableActionInput
 {
    private QBackendTransaction transaction;
    private List<QRecord>       records;
+   private InputSource         inputSource = QInputSource.SYSTEM;
 
    private boolean skipUniqueKeyCheck = false;
 
@@ -182,4 +185,35 @@ public class InsertInput extends AbstractTableActionInput
       return (this);
    }
 
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** Getter for inputSource
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public InputSource getInputSource()
+   {
+      return (this.inputSource);
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** Setter for inputSource
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public void setInputSource(InputSource inputSource)
+   {
+      this.inputSource = inputSource;
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** Fluent setter for inputSource
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public InsertInput withInputSource(InputSource inputSource)
+   {
+      this.inputSource = inputSource;
+      return (this);
+   }
+
 }
diff --git a/qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/model/actions/tables/update/UpdateInput.java b/qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/model/actions/tables/update/UpdateInput.java
index 0554874b..2ae55f37 100644
--- a/qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/model/actions/tables/update/UpdateInput.java
+++ b/qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/model/actions/tables/update/UpdateInput.java
@@ -25,6 +25,8 @@ package com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.tables.update;
 import java.util.List;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.QBackendTransaction;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.AbstractTableActionInput;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.tables.InputSource;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.tables.QInputSource;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.data.QRecord;
 
 
@@ -36,6 +38,7 @@ public class UpdateInput extends AbstractTableActionInput
 {
    private QBackendTransaction transaction;
    private List<QRecord>       records;
+   private InputSource         inputSource = QInputSource.SYSTEM;
 
    ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
    // allow a caller to specify that they KNOW this optimization (e.g., in SQL) can be made. //
@@ -219,4 +222,35 @@ public class UpdateInput extends AbstractTableActionInput
       return (this);
    }
 
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** Getter for inputSource
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public InputSource getInputSource()
+   {
+      return (this.inputSource);
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** Setter for inputSource
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public void setInputSource(InputSource inputSource)
+   {
+      this.inputSource = inputSource;
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** Fluent setter for inputSource
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public UpdateInput withInputSource(InputSource inputSource)
+   {
+      this.inputSource = inputSource;
+      return (this);
+   }
+
 }
diff --git a/qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/processes/implementations/bulk/delete/BulkDeleteLoadStep.java b/qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/processes/implementations/bulk/delete/BulkDeleteLoadStep.java
index 18f7c5a4..0b50d953 100644
--- a/qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/processes/implementations/bulk/delete/BulkDeleteLoadStep.java
+++ b/qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/processes/implementations/bulk/delete/BulkDeleteLoadStep.java
@@ -36,6 +36,8 @@ import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.processes.ProcessSummaryLine
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.processes.RunBackendStepInput;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.processes.RunBackendStepOutput;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.processes.Status;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.tables.InputSource;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.tables.QInputSource;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.tables.insert.InsertInput;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.data.QRecord;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.tables.QTableMetaData;
@@ -60,6 +62,17 @@ public class BulkDeleteLoadStep extends LoadViaDeleteStep implements ProcessSumm
 
 
 
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   @Override
+   protected InputSource getInputSource()
+   {
+      return (QInputSource.USER);
+   }
+
+
+
    /*******************************************************************************
     **
     *******************************************************************************/
diff --git a/qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/processes/implementations/bulk/delete/BulkDeleteTransformStep.java b/qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/processes/implementations/bulk/delete/BulkDeleteTransformStep.java
index 6480774c..95df5260 100644
--- a/qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/processes/implementations/bulk/delete/BulkDeleteTransformStep.java
+++ b/qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/processes/implementations/bulk/delete/BulkDeleteTransformStep.java
@@ -33,6 +33,7 @@ import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.processes.ProcessSummaryLine
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.processes.RunBackendStepInput;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.processes.RunBackendStepOutput;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.processes.Status;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.tables.QInputSource;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.tables.delete.DeleteInput;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.data.QRecord;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.tables.QTableMetaData;
@@ -103,6 +104,7 @@ public class BulkDeleteTransformStep extends AbstractTransformStep
          ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
          DeleteAction deleteAction = new DeleteAction();
          DeleteInput  deleteInput  = new DeleteInput();
+         deleteInput.setInputSource(QInputSource.USER);
          deleteInput.setTableName(runBackendStepInput.getTableName());
          deleteInput.setPrimaryKeys(runBackendStepInput.getRecords().stream().map(r -> r.getValue(primaryKeyField)).toList());
          List<QRecord> validationResultRecords = deleteAction.performValidations(deleteInput, Optional.of(runBackendStepInput.getRecords()), true);
diff --git a/qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/processes/implementations/bulk/edit/BulkEditLoadStep.java b/qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/processes/implementations/bulk/edit/BulkEditLoadStep.java
index 561dee43..c05c2b64 100644
--- a/qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/processes/implementations/bulk/edit/BulkEditLoadStep.java
+++ b/qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/processes/implementations/bulk/edit/BulkEditLoadStep.java
@@ -31,6 +31,8 @@ import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.processes.ProcessSummaryLine
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.processes.RunBackendStepInput;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.processes.RunBackendStepOutput;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.processes.Status;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.tables.InputSource;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.tables.QInputSource;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.data.QRecord;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.tables.QTableMetaData;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.processes.implementations.etl.streamedwithfrontend.LoadViaUpdateStep;
@@ -56,6 +58,17 @@ public class BulkEditLoadStep extends LoadViaUpdateStep implements ProcessSummar
 
 
 
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   @Override
+   protected InputSource getInputSource()
+   {
+      return (QInputSource.USER);
+   }
+
+
+
    /*******************************************************************************
     **
     *******************************************************************************/
diff --git a/qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/processes/implementations/bulk/edit/BulkEditTransformStep.java b/qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/processes/implementations/bulk/edit/BulkEditTransformStep.java
index 8fb095e3..077a9f29 100644
--- a/qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/processes/implementations/bulk/edit/BulkEditTransformStep.java
+++ b/qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/processes/implementations/bulk/edit/BulkEditTransformStep.java
@@ -37,6 +37,7 @@ import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.processes.ProcessSummaryLine
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.processes.RunBackendStepInput;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.processes.RunBackendStepOutput;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.processes.Status;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.tables.QInputSource;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.tables.update.UpdateInput;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.data.QRecord;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.fields.QFieldMetaData;
@@ -167,6 +168,7 @@ public class BulkEditTransformStep extends AbstractTransformStep
          // run the validation - critically - in preview mode (boolean param) //
          ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
          UpdateInput updateInput = new UpdateInput();
+         updateInput.setInputSource(QInputSource.USER);
          updateInput.setTableName(table.getName());
          updateInput.setRecords(recordsForValidation);
          new UpdateAction().performValidations(updateInput, Optional.of(runBackendStepInput.getRecords()), true);
diff --git a/qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/processes/implementations/bulk/insert/BulkInsertLoadStep.java b/qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/processes/implementations/bulk/insert/BulkInsertLoadStep.java
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..c8b73ec2
--- /dev/null
+++ b/qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/processes/implementations/bulk/insert/BulkInsertLoadStep.java
@@ -0,0 +1,45 @@
+/*
+ * QQQ - Low-code Application Framework for Engineers.
+ * Copyright (C) 2021-2023.  Kingsrook, LLC
+ * 651 N Broad St Ste 205 # 6917 | Middletown DE 19709 | United States
+ * contact@kingsrook.com
+ * https://github.com/Kingsrook/
+ *
+ * This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
+ * it under the terms of the GNU Affero General Public License as
+ * published by the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the
+ * License, or (at your option) any later version.
+ *
+ * This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+ * but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+ * MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
+ * GNU Affero General Public License for more details.
+ *
+ * You should have received a copy of the GNU Affero General Public License
+ * along with this program.  If not, see <https://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+ */
+
+package com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.processes.implementations.bulk.insert;
+
+
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.tables.InputSource;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.tables.QInputSource;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.processes.implementations.etl.streamedwithfrontend.LoadViaInsertStep;
+
+
+/*******************************************************************************
+ **
+ *******************************************************************************/
+public class BulkInsertLoadStep extends LoadViaInsertStep
+{
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   @Override
+   protected InputSource getInputSource()
+   {
+      return (QInputSource.USER);
+   }
+
+}
diff --git a/qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/processes/implementations/bulk/insert/BulkInsertTransformStep.java b/qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/processes/implementations/bulk/insert/BulkInsertTransformStep.java
index b775098d..36b29c04 100644
--- a/qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/processes/implementations/bulk/insert/BulkInsertTransformStep.java
+++ b/qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/processes/implementations/bulk/insert/BulkInsertTransformStep.java
@@ -38,6 +38,7 @@ import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.processes.ProcessSummaryLine
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.processes.RunBackendStepInput;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.processes.RunBackendStepOutput;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.processes.Status;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.tables.QInputSource;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.tables.insert.InsertInput;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.data.QRecord;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.tables.QTableMetaData;
@@ -182,6 +183,7 @@ public class BulkInsertTransformStep extends AbstractTransformStep
       /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
       InsertAction insertAction = new InsertAction();
       InsertInput  insertInput  = new InsertInput();
+      insertInput.setInputSource(QInputSource.USER);
       insertInput.setTableName(runBackendStepInput.getTableName());
       insertInput.setRecords(recordsWithoutUkErrors);
       insertInput.setSkipUniqueKeyCheck(true);
diff --git a/qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/processes/implementations/etl/streamedwithfrontend/LoadViaDeleteStep.java b/qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/processes/implementations/etl/streamedwithfrontend/LoadViaDeleteStep.java
index fa0ebb9a..66589432 100644
--- a/qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/processes/implementations/etl/streamedwithfrontend/LoadViaDeleteStep.java
+++ b/qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/processes/implementations/etl/streamedwithfrontend/LoadViaDeleteStep.java
@@ -30,6 +30,8 @@ import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.tables.InsertAction;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.exceptions.QException;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.processes.RunBackendStepInput;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.processes.RunBackendStepOutput;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.tables.InputSource;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.tables.QInputSource;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.tables.delete.DeleteInput;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.tables.delete.DeleteOutput;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.tables.insert.InsertInput;
@@ -46,6 +48,16 @@ public class LoadViaDeleteStep extends AbstractLoadStep
 
 
 
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   protected InputSource getInputSource()
+   {
+      return (QInputSource.SYSTEM);
+   }
+
+
+
    /*******************************************************************************
     ** Execute the backend step - using the request as input, and the result as output.
     **
@@ -56,6 +68,7 @@ public class LoadViaDeleteStep extends AbstractLoadStep
       QTableMetaData table = runBackendStepInput.getTable();
 
       DeleteInput deleteInput = new DeleteInput();
+      deleteInput.setInputSource(getInputSource());
       deleteInput.setTableName(runBackendStepInput.getValueString(FIELD_DESTINATION_TABLE));
       deleteInput.setPrimaryKeys(runBackendStepInput.getRecords().stream().map(r -> r.getValue(table.getPrimaryKeyField())).collect(Collectors.toList()));
       deleteInput.setAsyncJobCallback(runBackendStepInput.getAsyncJobCallback());
diff --git a/qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/processes/implementations/etl/streamedwithfrontend/LoadViaInsertOrUpdateStep.java b/qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/processes/implementations/etl/streamedwithfrontend/LoadViaInsertOrUpdateStep.java
index 45d09c96..0263fe5a 100644
--- a/qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/processes/implementations/etl/streamedwithfrontend/LoadViaInsertOrUpdateStep.java
+++ b/qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/processes/implementations/etl/streamedwithfrontend/LoadViaInsertOrUpdateStep.java
@@ -31,6 +31,8 @@ import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.tables.UpdateAction;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.exceptions.QException;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.processes.RunBackendStepInput;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.processes.RunBackendStepOutput;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.tables.InputSource;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.tables.QInputSource;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.tables.insert.InsertInput;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.tables.insert.InsertOutput;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.tables.update.UpdateInput;
@@ -56,6 +58,16 @@ public class LoadViaInsertOrUpdateStep extends AbstractLoadStep
 
 
 
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   protected InputSource getInputSource()
+   {
+      return (QInputSource.SYSTEM);
+   }
+
+
+
    /*******************************************************************************
     ** Execute the backend step - using the request as input, and the result as output.
     **
@@ -79,6 +91,7 @@ public class LoadViaInsertOrUpdateStep extends AbstractLoadStep
       if(CollectionUtils.nullSafeHasContents(recordsToInsert))
       {
          InsertInput insertInput = new InsertInput();
+         insertInput.setInputSource(getInputSource());
          insertInput.setTableName(tableMetaData.getName());
          insertInput.setRecords(recordsToInsert);
          getTransaction().ifPresent(insertInput::setTransaction);
@@ -96,6 +109,7 @@ public class LoadViaInsertOrUpdateStep extends AbstractLoadStep
       if(CollectionUtils.nullSafeHasContents(recordsToUpdate))
       {
          UpdateInput updateInput = new UpdateInput();
+         updateInput.setInputSource(getInputSource());
          updateInput.setTableName(tableMetaData.getName());
          updateInput.setRecords(recordsToUpdate);
          getTransaction().ifPresent(updateInput::setTransaction);
diff --git a/qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/processes/implementations/etl/streamedwithfrontend/LoadViaInsertStep.java b/qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/processes/implementations/etl/streamedwithfrontend/LoadViaInsertStep.java
index 6024b21a..a5f9718b 100644
--- a/qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/processes/implementations/etl/streamedwithfrontend/LoadViaInsertStep.java
+++ b/qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/processes/implementations/etl/streamedwithfrontend/LoadViaInsertStep.java
@@ -28,6 +28,8 @@ import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.tables.InsertAction;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.exceptions.QException;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.processes.RunBackendStepInput;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.processes.RunBackendStepOutput;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.tables.InputSource;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.tables.QInputSource;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.tables.insert.InsertInput;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.tables.insert.InsertOutput;
 
@@ -43,6 +45,16 @@ public class LoadViaInsertStep extends AbstractLoadStep
 
 
 
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   protected InputSource getInputSource()
+   {
+      return (QInputSource.SYSTEM);
+   }
+
+
+
    /*******************************************************************************
     ** Execute the backend step - using the request as input, and the result as output.
     **
@@ -51,6 +63,7 @@ public class LoadViaInsertStep extends AbstractLoadStep
    public void run(RunBackendStepInput runBackendStepInput, RunBackendStepOutput runBackendStepOutput) throws QException
    {
       InsertInput insertInput = new InsertInput();
+      insertInput.setInputSource(getInputSource());
       insertInput.setTableName(runBackendStepInput.getValueString(FIELD_DESTINATION_TABLE));
       insertInput.setRecords(runBackendStepInput.getRecords());
       getTransaction().ifPresent(insertInput::setTransaction);
diff --git a/qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/processes/implementations/etl/streamedwithfrontend/LoadViaUpdateStep.java b/qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/processes/implementations/etl/streamedwithfrontend/LoadViaUpdateStep.java
index 058c5ec2..2f1755ec 100644
--- a/qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/processes/implementations/etl/streamedwithfrontend/LoadViaUpdateStep.java
+++ b/qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/processes/implementations/etl/streamedwithfrontend/LoadViaUpdateStep.java
@@ -29,6 +29,8 @@ import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.tables.UpdateAction;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.exceptions.QException;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.processes.RunBackendStepInput;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.processes.RunBackendStepOutput;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.tables.InputSource;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.tables.QInputSource;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.tables.insert.InsertInput;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.tables.update.UpdateInput;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.tables.update.UpdateOutput;
@@ -44,6 +46,16 @@ public class LoadViaUpdateStep extends AbstractLoadStep
 
 
 
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   protected InputSource getInputSource()
+   {
+      return (QInputSource.SYSTEM);
+   }
+
+
+
    /*******************************************************************************
     ** Execute the backend step - using the request as input, and the result as output.
     **
@@ -52,6 +64,7 @@ public class LoadViaUpdateStep extends AbstractLoadStep
    public void run(RunBackendStepInput runBackendStepInput, RunBackendStepOutput runBackendStepOutput) throws QException
    {
       UpdateInput updateInput = new UpdateInput();
+      updateInput.setInputSource(getInputSource());
       updateInput.setTableName(runBackendStepInput.getValueString(FIELD_DESTINATION_TABLE));
       updateInput.setRecords(runBackendStepInput.getRecords());
       getTransaction().ifPresent(updateInput::setTransaction);
diff --git a/qqq-middleware-api/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/api/actions/ApiImplementation.java b/qqq-middleware-api/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/api/actions/ApiImplementation.java
index a9224655..058036d6 100644
--- a/qqq-middleware-api/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/api/actions/ApiImplementation.java
+++ b/qqq-middleware-api/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/api/actions/ApiImplementation.java
@@ -49,6 +49,7 @@ import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.exceptions.QException;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.exceptions.QNotFoundException;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.logging.LogPair;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.logging.QLogger;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.tables.QInputSource;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.tables.count.CountInput;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.tables.count.CountOutput;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.tables.delete.DeleteInput;
@@ -336,6 +337,7 @@ public class ApiImplementation
       String         tableName = table.getName();
 
       InsertInput insertInput = new InsertInput();
+      insertInput.setInputSource(QInputSource.USER);
 
       insertInput.setTableName(tableName);
 
@@ -409,6 +411,7 @@ public class ApiImplementation
       String         tableName = table.getName();
 
       InsertInput insertInput = new InsertInput();
+      insertInput.setInputSource(QInputSource.USER);
       insertInput.setTableName(tableName);
 
       PermissionsHelper.checkTablePermissionThrowing(insertInput, TablePermissionSubType.INSERT);
@@ -549,6 +552,7 @@ public class ApiImplementation
       String         tableName = table.getName();
 
       UpdateInput updateInput = new UpdateInput();
+      updateInput.setInputSource(QInputSource.USER);
       updateInput.setTableName(tableName);
 
       PermissionsHelper.checkTablePermissionThrowing(updateInput, TablePermissionSubType.EDIT);
@@ -620,6 +624,7 @@ public class ApiImplementation
       String         tableName = table.getName();
 
       UpdateInput updateInput = new UpdateInput();
+      updateInput.setInputSource(QInputSource.USER);
       updateInput.setTableName(tableName);
 
       PermissionsHelper.checkTablePermissionThrowing(updateInput, TablePermissionSubType.EDIT);
@@ -744,6 +749,7 @@ public class ApiImplementation
       String         tableName = table.getName();
 
       DeleteInput deleteInput = new DeleteInput();
+      deleteInput.setInputSource(QInputSource.USER);
       deleteInput.setTableName(tableName);
       deleteInput.setPrimaryKeys(List.of(primaryKey));
 
@@ -784,6 +790,7 @@ public class ApiImplementation
       String         tableName = table.getName();
 
       DeleteInput deleteInput = new DeleteInput();
+      deleteInput.setInputSource(QInputSource.USER);
       deleteInput.setTableName(tableName);
 
       PermissionsHelper.checkTablePermissionThrowing(deleteInput, TablePermissionSubType.DELETE);
diff --git a/qqq-middleware-javalin/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/javalin/QJavalinImplementation.java b/qqq-middleware-javalin/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/javalin/QJavalinImplementation.java
index 302aa3ca..d0a5aab9 100644
--- a/qqq-middleware-javalin/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/javalin/QJavalinImplementation.java
+++ b/qqq-middleware-javalin/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/javalin/QJavalinImplementation.java
@@ -75,6 +75,7 @@ import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.metadata.TableMetaDataOutput
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.reporting.ExportInput;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.reporting.ExportOutput;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.reporting.ReportFormat;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.tables.QInputSource;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.tables.count.CountInput;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.tables.count.CountOutput;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.tables.delete.DeleteInput;
@@ -573,6 +574,7 @@ public class QJavalinImplementation
          primaryKeys.add(primaryKey);
 
          DeleteInput deleteInput = new DeleteInput();
+         deleteInput.setInputSource(QInputSource.USER);
          setupSession(context, deleteInput);
 
          QJavalinAccessLogger.logStart("delete", logPair("table", table), logPair("primaryKey", primaryKey));
@@ -608,6 +610,7 @@ public class QJavalinImplementation
       try
       {
          UpdateInput updateInput = new UpdateInput();
+         updateInput.setInputSource(QInputSource.USER);
          setupSession(context, updateInput);
          updateInput.setTableName(tableName);
 
@@ -680,6 +683,7 @@ public class QJavalinImplementation
       try
       {
          InsertInput insertInput = new InsertInput();
+         insertInput.setInputSource(QInputSource.USER);
          setupSession(context, insertInput);
          insertInput.setTableName(tableName);
          QJavalinAccessLogger.logStart("insert", logPair("table", tableName));