Delete documents, and restore them from the trash
Select documents and choose Move to trash. They stay in Trash for 30 days, where you can Restore them, then they're erased with their files. Use Delete forever or Empty trash to erase them now.
Updated 1 min read
Step 1: Select the documents
In My documents, tick the documents you want to remove.
Step 2: Move them to the trash
Click Move to trash. They disappear from your dashboard right away.
Step 3: Restore if needed
Open Trash and click Restore on a document, or select several and click Restore.
Step 4: Or delete forever
In Trash, click Delete forever on a document, or Empty trash for everything. Confirm, and the documents are erased now. This can't be undone.
What deleting removes
- The document, every version, signed copies and responses collected through its fill links.
- Its stored files, erased together with the document when it leaves the trash.
- Not the evidence of completed signature requests: the sealed PDF, certificate and audit trail are kept for 7 years so the signers can still prove the agreement.
Share links to a document stop working as soon as it's in the trash. Copies that were already downloaded or emailed aren't affected, because they're no longer in PDFBetter.
I restored a document. Is everything back?
Yes. A restored document comes back with its versions, signed copies and form responses, and its share links work again.
I deleted a document more than 30 days ago. Can support get it back?
No. After 30 days the document and its files are erased and can't be recovered.
Did this answer your question?
Related articles
- How long PDFBetter keeps your filesGuest drafts are deleted 1 hour after they're created. Files uploaded only to run a tool are deleted after 24 hours. Documents in your account stay until you delete them, then they're erased 30 days later.
- Export your data or delete your accountOpen Settings → Data & privacy. Click Prepare my export to download your account data and original files. To close your account, click Delete my account, type your email and confirm. This can't be undone.
- Where your files are stored and who can open themBrowser tools such as merge, split and rotate never upload your file. Documents you edit, fill or sign are stored in Cloudflare R2, encrypted at rest, and only you, people you share with and your team (for team documents) can open them.
- Find and organize your documents: folders, tags, search and trashEverything you upload, create, sign or send is in My documents. Sort it into folders and tags, filter by status or name, and search everything with ⌘K. Deleted documents stay in Trash for 30 days, where you can restore them.