CANDE can access any file in the user's library for various purposes, but changes can be effected only on the work file. A new work file can be made using the MAKE command, or an existing file can be used as the work file using the GET command. All editing commands apply to the work file. Single-line entries, as well as FIX commands and page mode input, are not applied to the work file immediately but are tanked until the next update.

CANDE allows a limited number of changes to the work file between updates. If the number of changes to the work file exceeds this limit, CANDE performs an update. For details, refer to the UPDATE and SAVE commands in CANDE Commands.