Horizontal layout on edit?

My users would greatly benefit from the ability to update rows from a horizontal edit page - i.e., not have to click "edit," be directed to a new page, do the edit, click "save," click "back to list" and be directed back.
If there was a way, I could display many rows at once, users could quickly change the value of single field on a single row with a dropdown and a "save" button... 2 steps instead of 5. They'd like it... and they're why I'm here!
Thanks!

MD