# How to use trash and restore tables?

Deleting a table in v2 is **soft**: row data is kept and you can **Restore** from **Trash** in **Custom Data models**. Permanent removal is **Delete permanently**.

## When you need this

- A table was deleted by mistake — return it to the list.
- Hide a table from the active list but keep data for rollback.
- Permanently remove a test table and all its data.

## Key terms

- **Tables** / **Trash ({count})** — toggle in **Custom Data models**.
- **Delete table** — soft delete; hint: restore from **Trash**.
- **Restore** — returns the table to the active list.
- **Delete permanently** — physical delete of table and all data; irreversible.
- Association fields in other tables break after delete — read warnings before deleting.

## Before you start

- [x] **Menu → Custom Data**.
- [x] Permission to delete/restore tables.
- [x] You checked **Used in {count} process(es)** and references from other tables.

## Step-by-step

### Soft delete

1. Open the records table or **Custom Data models** list.
2. Click **Delete table** (or in editor **Danger zone**).
3. Confirm **Delete table "{name}"?** — read association and process warnings.
4. On success — **Table deleted. Restore it from the Trash tab in the table list.**

### Restore

1. In **Custom Data models**, switch to **Trash**.
2. Find the table; **Deleted** column shows the date.
3. Click **Restore** — **Table restored**.
4. Switch back to **Tables** — the table is active again.

### Permanent delete

1. In **Trash**, select the table.
2. Click **Delete permanently**.
3. Confirm **Permanently delete table "{name}" and all its data?**

## What happens next

Soft delete hides the table from the active list; rows remain in the database. Restore brings access back. Purge removes everything permanently.

## How to verify

- After **Restore**, the table opens with previous rows.
- **Trash is empty** after purge.
- Processes that referenced the table are checked after restore or purge.

## Related guides

- [Edit a table](./edit-model.md)
- [Create a table](./create-model.md)