Skip to main content

Why was my entity archived instead of deleted

Written by Shahid
Updated over a week ago

Don’t worry — your data is completely safe.

SendX archives entities instead of deleting them when there is historical sending data tied to them. This ensures your campaign reports, analytics, and contact activity history remain intact.

Archiving simply hides the entity from your active workspace. You can view it anytime in the Archived tab and restore it with one click whenever needed.


Quick overview

Delete

Archive

Reversible?

No — permanent

Yes — restore anytime

Reports & data

Lost forever

Fully preserved

Visible in listings?

Removed permanently

Moved to Archived tab

Contacts affected?

Depends on your choice

Not affected (unless selected)

Bottom line:
Archive = safe cleanup. Your workspace stays tidy while all data remains intact.


Why can't I delete it?

SendX protects your historical campaign data.

If an entity has ever been involved in sending emails — such as:

  • Campaign recipients

  • Drip sequences

  • A/B tests

  • Automation triggers

Deleting it would break reporting history.
In these cases, SendX automatically archives the entity instead of deleting it.


Newsletters

Why was my newsletter archived?

The newsletter has already been sent. Sent campaigns contain reporting data like:

  • Open rates

  • Click rates

  • Bounce data

  • Contact engagement history

Deleting it would permanently remove this information.

What happens after archiving?

  • The campaign moves to Campaign → Newsletter → Archived

  • All campaign reports remain accessible

  • Campaign details can still be viewed

  • Editing is disabled while archived

How to restore it

  1. Go to Campaign → Newsletter

  2. Click the Archived tab

  3. Open the three-dot menu

  4. Click Unarchive


Drip Campaigns

Why was my drip campaign archived?

Your drip campaign has already sent emails to at least one contact. Deleting it would remove the history of which contacts received each step.

What happens after archiving?

  • The drip becomes deactivated

  • All scheduled emails are canceled

  • Contacts in the funnel stop receiving emails

  • Historical data remains accessible

  • The drip moves to Campaign → Drip → Archived

If the drip is used in an automation

You may see a "Cannot archive" message listing automations that reference the drip. Remove the drip from those automations first.

How to restore it

  1. Go to Campaign → Drip

  2. Open the Archived tab

  3. Click Unarchive

Restoring does not automatically reactivate the drip — you must enable it manually.


A/B Tests

Why was my A/B test archived?

The A/B test has already completed or sent the winning variant. The test results are tied to this entity.

What happens after archiving?

  • Moves to Campaign → A/B Test → Archived

  • All variant performance data remains available

  • Editing is disabled while archived

How to restore it

Open the Archived tab and click Unarchive.


Lists

Why was my list archived?

The list was used in sent campaigns. Deleting it would break campaign reporting.

What happens after archiving?

  • Hidden from active list selectors

  • Contacts remain in your account

  • Campaign reports remain intact

  • You can optionally delete associated contacts during archiving

If the list is used elsewhere

You may see a "Cannot archive" message if the list is used by:

  • Automations

  • Forms

  • Popups

  • Landing pages

  • Workflows

Remove the list from those entities before archiving.

How to restore it

Go to Audience → List → Archived and click Unarchive.


Tags

Why was my tag archived?

The tag has been used in sent campaigns, and deleting it would break campaign reporting.

What happens after archiving?

  • Hidden from tag selectors

  • Contacts keep the tag

  • Campaign reports remain intact

  • Optional contact deletion during archiving

If the tag is used by an automation

Remove the tag from the automation before archiving.

How to restore it

Go to Audience → Tag → Archived and click Unarchive.


Segments

Why was my segment archived?

The segment was used to target recipients in sent campaigns. Removing it would break historical targeting data.

What happens after archiving?

  • Hidden from segment selectors

  • Contacts remain unaffected

  • Campaign reports remain intact

  • Optional contact deletion during archiving

If the segment is used by automation

Remove the segment reference first.

How to restore it

Go to Audience → Segment → Archived and click Unarchive.


Automations

Why was my automation archived?

Automations are archived manually by team members.

What happens after archiving?

  • Automation becomes deactivated

  • No new triggers will run

  • Historical execution data remains available

  • Moves to Automate → Automations → Archived

How to restore it

Click Unarchive from the Archived tab.

The automation will return in a paused state.


Workflows

Why was my workflow archived?

Workflows are also archived manually.

What happens after archiving?

  • Workflow is deactivated

  • New contacts cannot enter

  • Historical data remains accessible

  • Moves to Automate → Workflows → Archived

How to restore it

Go to Automate → Workflows → Archived and click Unarchive.


Auto-Trigger Campaigns

Why was my auto-trigger campaign archived?

The campaign has sent emails through automation, even if it appears as a draft.

Deleting it would remove the delivery history.

What happens after archiving?

  • Hidden from active listings

  • Sending history remains intact

  • Editing is disabled

  • Automations referencing it stop sending emails

If automation still references it

Remove the campaign from the automation first.

How to restore it

Go to Campaign → Auto-Trigger → Archived and click Unarchive.


Understanding the "Cannot archive" message

This message means the entity is still being used elsewhere.

Common blockers include:

Blocker

Action required

Automation

Remove the entity from triggers or actions

Workflow

Remove the entity condition

Form / Popup / Landing Page

Change the target list

Scheduled Campaign

Update or send the campaign

Active Drip

Pause or modify the drip

Once these references are removed, you can archive the entity.


Frequently asked questions

Will archiving affect my contacts or billing?

No. Contacts remain in your account and billing is unchanged unless you choose to delete associated contacts.


Can I edit an archived entity?

No. You must unarchive it first.


Can I bulk archive items?

No. Archiving is done one item at a time.

You can bulk unarchive items from the Archived tab.


Where did the Archived tab go?

The tab appears only when archived items exist.
If all items are restored, the tab disappears automatically.


I accidentally archived something. How do I undo it?

Go to the Archived tab, find the entity, and click Unarchive.

Did this answer your question?