How to delete data sources and data source items

This article explains how to delete a data source and items within data sources. The content of a data source may be used in the user profile, a template, an email signature, or as a reference in another data source. 

How to delete a data source

1. Go to the Resources section in the Admin Center.
2. Select the data source you want to delete.
3. Click on the ellipsis menu.
4. Click on Delete in either of the two locations, highlighted below:
   

Limitations when deleting a data source

Used in the user profile

A data source cannot be deleted if it contains items being used in a User Profile field. The referenced item from the data source must be deleted in order to be able to delete the data source itself.

Used as a reference in another data source

A data source (1) cannot be deleted if it's being used as a reference from another data source (2). The data source (2) must be deleted first in order to be able to delete the data source (1).

Used as a reference in the Library

A data source cannot be deleted, if it contains the data source is being used in a template or asset. The referenced item from the data source must be deleted from the template/asset in order to be able to delete the data source itself.

How to delete a data source item

1. Go to the Resources section in the Admin center.
2. Select the data source.
3. Click on Open data source in either of two locations shown in the screenshot above in the 'How to delete a data source' section.
4. Once in the data source, select the item you want to delete.
5. Click Delete in either of the two locations highlighted below:

Limitations when deleting a data source item

Used in the user profile

A data source item can be deleted when used in a User Profile. However, the end-user will be required to update their user profile to reflect the changes:

• Required field: users will be prompted with an incomplete User Profile.
• Non-required field: the field will become empty, users won't be prompted to update their User Profile.

Used as a direct reference in an email signature component

A data source item cannot be deleted when being used as a direct reference in an email signature component by using the DataSources[] function. To delete the data source, the reference in the email signature part must be deleted first.

Used as a reference in another data source

A data source (1) cannot be deleted if it's being used as a reference from another data source (2). You need to delete that data source (2) first. Additionally, if a data source field (A) is referred by another data source item (B), the item (A) cannot be deleted from the data source.