The distribution and evolution of ferroelectric and ferroelastic nanodomains in a polycrystalline (001)-oriented thin film of the simple multi-ferroic PbZr0.3Ti0.7O3(PZT) is presented. With an external electric field applied between the probe tip and the PZT sample, ferroelastic domains were switched by rotating both in- and out-of-plane, with a partial conversion from a-oriented regions to c-oriented regions. After multiple such cycles, grains were observed to buckle as a direct consequence of the lateral size change arising from the conversion towards complete c-orientation. The factors determining the measured deflection of the cantilever in Piezoresponse force microscopy were explored, highlighting the conditions under which quantitative or qualitative information may be obtained.