Send a component to the Deleted items folder

If you aren't using a component anymore, you can move it to a folder for archiving, or you can send it to the Deleted items folder where or it stays until you delete it permanently. You can send a component to the Deleted items folder from the Components browser or a project.

You can't delete a component if it's:
  • Locked (by another user, by you, or by the system)
  • Part of an active assignment
  • Part of an active review
  • Used in a Projects folder
  • Used in a publishing profile

    If you try to delete a component that's included in a publishing profile, you see the following message:

    • Cannot delete components because one or more are used in a publishing profile. Clear all publishing profile references to these components or remove them from your selection and try again.

    You also see this warning if you try to delete a folder that contains a component included in a publishing profile.

    You see this warning and you can't delete the component(s).

    Do one of the following:

  • Referenced by another component

If the component has a relationship with other components, you see the following error when you try to delete it:

To find relationships so you can remove any links and delete a component, follow the steps in See where a component is used.

If an administrator enables a feature that allows components to be deleted and relationship links broken, and you are an administrator, you can force Inspire to delete the component. For more information, see the steps below or read Delete Components.

Delete a component from the Components browser

  1. Click Components.
  2. In the Folders pane, navigate to the folder where you saved the component you want to delete.
  3. To delete one component:
    1. In the Components pane, select the component's checkbox.
    2. Look in the Content details pane to see a preview and verify you've selected the correct component. If the pane isn't open, click the down arrow in the pane's title bar.

      If you think the preview isn't showing the latest version, click Refresh .

    3. Right-click the component, select Actions, and then select Delete. You can also click the Options menu, select Actions, and select Delete.
  4. To delete multiple components at once:
    1. In the Components pane, select the checkbox next to all the components you want to delete.
    2. Look in the Content details pane to see a preview and verify you've selected the correct component. If the pane isn't open, click the down arrow in the pane's title bar.
    3. In the Selected Components pane, click Delete .
    The component is removed from its folder in the Components browser. If you need to use the component again, go to the Deleted items folder where it's stored until you permanently delete it. Right-click the component and choose Restore.
  5. If you can't delete a component, read the message that appears telling you the reasons why. Correct the issue before trying to delete the component again.

    If an administrator enables a feature that allows components to be deleted and relationship links broken, and you are an administrator:

    • You are asked if you want to force the deletion of the component and break links
    If you select Yes:
    • The folder components are moved to the Deleted Items folder.
    • Link relationships are broken.
    • Components that reference the deleted topic are marked as invalid.
    • If you are not also deleting the component that referenced the deleted one, you can use Rebuild All Relationships to help resolve linking errors.

    If you select No:

    • You must manually remove links from other components that reference the one you want to delete.

Delete a component from a project

  1. Click Projects.
  2. Select the project and double-click it.
  3. In the Content pane, navigate to the folder containing the component you want to delete.
  4. To delete one component:
    1. In the Content pane, select the component.
    2. Look in the Content details pane to see a preview and verify you've selected the correct component.

      If the pane isn't open, click the down arrow in the pane's title bar.

    3. Right-click the component, select Actions, and then select Delete. You can also click the Options menu, select Actions, and select Delete.
  5. To delete multiple components at once:
    1. In the Content pane, select the checkbox next to the component you want to delete.
    2. Look in the Content details pane to see a preview and verify you've selected the correct component.
    3. Repeat steps a and b to add all the components you want to delete.
    4. In the Selected Components pane, click Delete .
    The component is removed from its project folder. If you need to use the component again, go to the Deleted items folder where it's stored until you permanently delete it. Right-click the component and choose Restore.
  6. If you can't delete a component, read the message that appears telling you the reasons why. Correct the issue before trying to delete the component again.

    If an administrator enables a feature that allows components to be deleted and relationship links broken, and you are an administrator:

    • You are asked if you want to force the deletion of the component and break links
    If you select Yes:
    • The folder components are moved to the Deleted Items folder.
    • Link relationships are broken.
    • Components that reference the deleted topic are marked as invalid.
    • If you are not also deleting the component that referenced the deleted one, you can use Rebuild All Relationships to help resolve linking errors.

    If you select No:

    • You must manually remove links from other components that reference the one you want to delete.