Archiving and Deleting Content
Overview
Learn Amp provides two ways to remove content from active use: archiving and deleting. Understanding the difference between these options helps you manage your content lifecycle effectively while preserving important historical data.
This guide covers when to use each option, how to archive and delete content, and how to restore archived content when needed.
Functionality Breakdown
Archive vs Delete: Key Differences
Aspect | Archive | Delete |
|---|---|---|
Reversible | Yes—can be unarchived | No—permanent |
User visibility | Hidden from learners | Removed entirely |
Reporting data | Preserved | Removed |
Historical records | Maintained | Lost |
Best for | Outdated but historically relevant content | Incomplete drafts, test content, mistakes |
What Can Be Archived?
You can archive the following content types:
Items
Learnlists
Channels
Events
1-to-1 Templates
Surveys
Scoring Rubrics
What Happens When You Archive Content
Users can no longer see or access the content
The content is removed from search results
Existing completion data is preserved
The content can be restored (unarchived) at any time
Archived content still appears in historical reports
What Happens When You Delete Content
The content is permanently removed from the platform
All associated data is deleted
Completion records may be affected
The action cannot be undone
⚠️ Warning: Always archive content first. Only delete if you're certain the content and its data are no longer needed.
Pre-requisites
Before archiving or deleting content, ensure you have:
The necessary permissions for the content type
Confirmation that any active Tasks have been addressed
An understanding of the impact on reporting data
Role Requirements
Action | Roles Required |
|---|---|
Archive content | Owner, Admin, Learning Designer, Curator (own content) |
Unarchive content | Owner, Admin, Learning Designer, Curator (own content) |
Delete content | Owner, Admin |
View archived content | Owner, Admin, Learning Designer, Curator |
💡 Tip: Learning Designers and Curators can typically archive content they created, but permanent deletion requires Owner or Admin permissions.
Quick Start Guide
How to Archive Content
From the sidebar, select Manage → then the content type (Items, Learnlists, Channels, etc.)
Find the content you want to archive
Click the three dots menu (⋯) next to the content name
Select Archive
Confirm the action when prompted
The content will be moved to the archived state immediately.
How to View Archived Content
From the sidebar, select Manage → then the content type
Click the Filter button
Select Archived from the status options
The list will now show only archived content
How to Unarchive (Restore) Content
Navigate to the Manage page and filter to show Archived content
Find the content you want to restore
Click the three dots menu (⋯) next to the content name
Select Unarchive or Restore
The content will return to active status
💡 Tip: After unarchiving, you may need to update visibility settings to make the content accessible to users again.
How to Delete Content
⚠️ Important: Content must be archived before it can be deleted.
First, archive the content (see steps above)
Filter the Manage page to show Archived content
Find the content you want to permanently delete
Click the three dots menu (⋯) next to the content name
Select Delete
Confirm the permanent deletion when prompted
FAQs
Q: Will archived Channels still appear in reporting?
Yes. Archived content remains in reports (including Content CSV exports) because the historical data is preserved. Only deleted content is removed from reports.
Q: Can I retrieve deleted content?
No. Once content is deleted, it cannot be recovered. If you're unsure, always archive instead of delete.
Q: What happens to Tasks when I archive content?
Existing Tasks remain but users won't be able to access the archived content. Consider cancelling or completing related Tasks before archiving.
Q: How do I "un-retire" content?
If you've archived content (sometimes called "retiring"), simply unarchive it using the steps above. Update the visibility settings afterward to make it accessible again.
Q: Does archiving affect completion records?
No. All completion data for archived content is preserved. Users who completed the content before archiving retain their completion status.
Q: Can I archive content that's currently assigned to users?
Yes, but those users will lose access immediately. It's best practice to complete or cancel Tasks before archiving.
Troubleshooting
Issue | Solution |
|---|---|
Can't find the Delete option | Content must be archived first. Archive the content, then filter to Archived and look for the Delete option. |
Archived content still showing to users | Clear your browser cache and verify the archive action completed. Check if the content exists in multiple locations. |
Can't unarchive content | Verify you have Owner or Admin permissions. Some content types may have restrictions on who can unarchive. |
Deleted content still appears in reports | Report caches may take time to update. Allow 24 hours for reports to reflect the deletion. |
Accidentally deleted content | Unfortunately, deletion is permanent. If critical data was lost, contact Learn Amp support immediately—in rare cases, backups may be available. |
Last Reviewed: 27/11/2025