Skip to main content

Auto-delete archived pages

The Delete archived pages automation permanently removes pages that have already been archived for a set period. It is the final step in a content lifecycle: archive first, then delete much later if the content is never restored.

Auto-delete settings

What it does​

After the daily full scan, the automation finds pages that have been archived for longer than the retention period you set, and permanently deletes them from Confluence.

Retention days​

You choose how long content must stay archived before it becomes eligible for deletion. A generous retention period gives people ample time to notice and restore anything that was archived by mistake.

A two-part safety switch​

Because deletion is permanent, it is guarded by two controls:

  1. The Delete archived pages automation must be enabled.
  2. The Allow permanent deletion toggle in Global settings must be turned on.

Both must be active for any deletion to occur. If either is off, nothing is deleted.

  1. Run auto-archive for a while so older content is archived.
  2. Set a comfortable retention period.
  3. Preview what would be deleted.
  4. Only then enable deletion.