---
title: "Archiving & Deleting Equipment"
url: "https://help.ontraccr.com/en/article/archiving-deleting-equipment"
language: "en"
last_updated: "2025-06-08T19:25:14.381Z"
---

# Archiving & Deleting Equipment

## **🗃️ Archiving & Deleting Equipment**  
 

## 📘 **Overview**

Ontraccr provides a structured process for removing equipment from your active inventory. Instead of immediately deleting equipment, items must first be **archived**, ensuring a two-step deletion flow that helps prevent accidental data loss.

This article walks through the full archiving and deletion process and how to view archived equipment when needed.

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## **📦 What is Archiving?**

Archiving marks a piece of equipment as **inactive**, removing it from default views but keeping all historical data intact.

-   Archived equipment:
    -   Remains searchable via filters
    -   Keeps its full history (timeline, tasks, forms, etc.)
    -   Can be **restored** or **deleted** permanently

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## **🧭 How to Archive Equipment**

1.  Go to the **Equipment Page**
2.  Click into the equipment profile you want to archive
3.  Click the **Archive** button
4.  Confirm the action

The equipment will now be marked as archived and hidden from active views unless filtered.

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## **🔍 Viewing Archived Equipment**

To find archived items:

1.  Click the **Filter icon** at the top of the Equipment Page
2.  Under **Status**, choose:
    -   **Active**
    -   **Archived**
    -   Or both
3.  Click **Apply**

You’ll now see all items based on the status filter.

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## **🗑️ How to Permanently Delete Equipment**

You cannot delete equipment until it has been archived.

### **Deletion Steps:**

1.  **Archive** the equipment first
2.  Use the filter to **view archived equipment**
3.  Click the **Delete icon** (visible only on archived profiles)
4.  Confirm deletion

🚨 This is a permanent action. Deleted equipment cannot be recovered.

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## **🧠 Use Case Example**

**Scenario**: You retire a backhoe from use due to irreparable damage.

-   Step 1: Archive it so it's no longer selectable in forms or active projects.
-   Step 2: After record-keeping is complete, permanently delete the entry.

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