A request to update an original data value in a first row in a database table in a database system. An updated data value is written to a second row in a staging table in the database system. The updated data value corresponds with the original data value. The first row includes a database table key, which is also included in the second row. The original data value in the database table is replaced with a corresponding replacement value, which is determined based on a value replacement update function that takes as input the updated data value. The staging table maintains a record value for reversing the update to the database table.