A dataset must be in dsEdit state to permit editing to its data. If the data source's AutoEdit property is True (the default), the data control handles the task of putting the dataset into dsEdit mode as soon as the user tries to edit its data. 

If AutoEdit is False, you must provide an alternate mechanism for putting the dataset into edit mode. One such mechanism is to use a TDBNavigator control with an Edit button, which lets users explicitly put the dataset into edit mode. For more information about TDBNavigator, see Navigating and manipulating records. Alternately, you can write code that calls the dataset's Edit method when you want to put the dataset into edit mode.