There are several ways to remove survey data in PaperSurvey, depending on whether you want to delete individual responses, entire documents, all collected data, or a complete survey. Each method serves different needs, so choosing the right approach helps you maintain control over your data.

Understanding the differences between these options will help you avoid removing more than intended while still keeping your workspace clean.

Deletion Options Overview

PaperSurvey offers four main approaches:

• Delete all survey data: Removes all responses but keeps the survey structure
• Delete uploaded documents: Removes scanned files and all associated responses
• Delete individual responses: Removes specific entries while preserving others
• Delete entire survey: Removes the survey structure and all responses

Method 1: Delete All Survey Data (Keep Survey Structure)

This method removes all responses while preserving your survey design. It also resets the page counter.

Steps

1. Go to your survey's Settings page
2. Scroll down to the "Danger Zone" section
3. Click "Clear data"
4. Confirm the deletion when prompted

When to use

This is ideal for moving from a test to production phase, starting a new data collection cycle, or clearing all data while keeping survey settings. All responses are deleted, but your survey structure, settings, and sharing links remain intact. Prefilled forms data is retained, allowing you to re-upload pages.

Method 2: Delete Uploaded Documents

This method removes the source document and all responses extracted from it.

Steps

1. Navigate to the Uploaded Documents page
2. Find the document you want to remove
3. Click the delete button next to the document
4. Confirm the deletion when prompted

When to use

Choose this when you uploaded the wrong document, an entire batch of responses is invalid, or you need to re-process the same documents.

Method 3: Delete Individual Responses

Remove specific responses while keeping others intact.

Steps

1. Go to your survey's "Responses" page
2. Click the "Edit" toggle to enable editing mode
3. Find the response you want to delete
4. Click the "Delete" button next to that response
5. Confirm the deletion

When to use

This is best for removing test submissions, deleting duplicate entries, or cleaning individual invalid responses.

Method 4: Delete Entire Survey

Remove the complete survey including all responses and structure. Deleted surveys are moved to the trash bin where they can be restored within 90 days.

Steps

1. Open your survey's "Settings" page
2. Scroll to the danger zone section
3. Click "Remove Survey" to delete everything
4. Confirm your choice
5. The survey moves to the trash bin (restorable for 90 days)

When to use

Choose this for removing completed or outdated projects, cleaning up test surveys, or starting completely fresh with a new design.

Permanent deletion

Access your trash bin to view deleted surveys. From there you can select surveys to permanently delete. Permanent deletion cannot be undone.

What Happens After Deletion

Immediate effects

Deleted surveys move to the trash bin (except for permanent deletion). Data disappears from your dashboard instantly, reports and exports no longer include deleted data, and team members lose access to deleted content.

Behind the scenes

Database records are marked for deletion, and files are queued for removal (this process takes 1 to 24 hours). Backup retention keeps data for up to 3 months. Permanent deletion occurs after the backup period expires and the oldest backups are removed.

Important Warnings

Deletions cannot be reversed through the interface. Always export your data before bulk deletions, and consider using tags or filters instead of deletion when possible.

Deleted data remains in backups for 3 months, so emergency recovery may be possible during that window (fees apply). After 3 months, recovery becomes impossible.

Recovery Options

Deleted surveys (trash bin)

If you accidentally deleted a survey, you can restore it from the trash bin:

1. Access your trash bin from the dashboard
2. Find the deleted survey (available for 90 days)
3. Click restore to bring it back
4. All data and settings are restored instantly

Permanently deleted data

If you permanently deleted data or it has been over 90 days:

Within 3 months of permanent deletion, contact support with the survey ID and deletion timestamp. Restoration fees apply, and the process takes 2 to 14 business days.

After 3 months, no recovery is possible. You would need to re-upload original documents if available or recreate the survey structure manually.