Delete and recover data

Baserow protects against accidental data loss with multiple recovery options. Deleted items move to trash for 3 days before permanent deletion, and recent changes can be undone instantly.

This guide covers how to recover accidentally deleted workspaces, databases, tables, fields, and rows using Baserow’s trash system, undo/redo functions, and restoration features.

How data recovery works in Baserow

Baserow provides multiple safety nets to prevent permanent data loss. Deleted items don’t disappear immediately; they’re recoverable through trash (3-day retention), undo/redo (recent actions), and change history (audit trail). Understanding these recovery methods helps you restore data quickly when mistakes happen.

Recovery options:

  • Trash - 3-day retention for deleted workspaces, databases, tables, fields, and views
  • Undo/Redo - Instant reversal of recent actions like cell edits or row deletions
  • Restore popup - 7-second quick recovery notification after deletions
  • Row change history: Track row updates
  • Change history - Audit log showing who changed what and when (Enterprise)

What can be recovered

Different types of deletions have different recovery options:

Item deleted Trash recovery Undo/Redo Retention period
Workspace ✓ ✓ 3 days
Database ✓ ✓ 3 days
Table ✓ ✓ 3 days
View ✓ ✓ 3 days
Field ✓ ✓ 3 days
Row ✓ ✓ 3 days
Cell value – ✓ Until session ends

Individual cell deletions don’t go to trash; they can only be recovered via undo/redo immediately after deletion. You can track updates in row history.

Undo and redo actions

Instantly reverse recent changes using Baserow’s undo/redo system. This works for cell edits, row deletions, field modifications, and most table operations.

How to undo/redo

Keyboard shortcuts (fastest method):

  • Undo: Cmd/Ctrl + Z
  • Redo: Cmd/Ctrl + Shift + Z

Toolbar buttons:

  • Click the undo/redo icons in the bottom-left corner
  • Undo reverses the most recent action
  • Redo re-applies actions you’ve undone

Undo and redo buttons in Baserow

Quick restore popup

When you delete a workspace, table, row, or make significant changes, a “Restore deleted” popup appears at the bottom of the screen for ~7 seconds. Click Undo in this popup to immediately reverse the deletion.

This quick restore is particularly useful for accidental deletions you notice immediately.

What undo/redo covers

Undo works for:

  • Cell value changes
  • Row additions and deletions
  • Field creations, modifications, and deletions
  • View creations and deletions
  • Table operations
  • Database and workspace deletions

Undo limitations:

  • Undo history clears when you close the browser tab
  • Some bulk operations may not be fully reversible
  • Imports and exports typically can’t be undone
  • Changes by other users don’t appear in your undo history

Access the trash

The trash stores deleted workspaces, databases, tables, views, and fields for 3 days before permanent deletion.

Open trash

  1. Click Trash in the sidebar under Dashboard on the home screen
  2. The trash displays all deleted items from the past 3 days
  3. Items show what was deleted, where from, when, and who deleted it

Baserow trash interface

Trash organization

Trash items are organized by workspace. Navigate through workspaces to find deleted databases, tables, views, or fields within each workspace.

Trash displays:

  • Deletion timestamp (date and time)
  • Item type (workspace, database, table, view, field)
  • Original location before deletion
  • User who performed the deletion
  • Days remaining before permanent deletion

Recover deleted items

Restore items from trash back to their original locations or choose new locations.

Restore from trash

  1. Click Trash in the sidebar
  2. Navigate to the item you want to restore
  3. Click Restore next to the deleted item
  4. The item returns to its original location immediately

Restored items include all their contents:

  • Workspaces restore with all databases, tables, and data
  • Databases restore with all tables, views, and fields
  • Tables restore with all rows, fields, and views
  • Views restore with all configuration and filters
  • Fields restore with all column data

Who can restore items

Workspace admins can restore any deleted items from their workspaces, including workspaces, databases, tables, views, and fields.

Members with appropriate permissions can restore items within databases or tables they have access to, but cannot restore entire workspaces or databases.

Learn more: Permissions overview

Restore limitations

After 3 days: Items are permanently deleted and cannot be recovered through trash or any other method. Export important data regularly for long-term backup.

Cell value changes: Modified cell values don’t go to trash; use undo/redo to reverse changes or check change history if available.

Permanently delete from trash

Empty trash to permanently delete items before the 3-day retention period expires. This action cannot be undone.

Empty trash options

Delete individual items:

  1. Open Trash
  2. Navigate to the item
  3. Click Delete permanently next to the item
  4. Confirm the permanent deletion

Empty entire workspace trash:

  1. Open Trash
  2. Navigate to the workspace
  3. Click Empty this workspace’s trash
  4. Confirm to permanently delete all items in that workspace’s trash

Warning: Permanently deleted items cannot be recovered by Baserow support or through any technical means. Ensure you don’t need the data before emptying the trash.

When to empty trash

Free up storage: Deleted items count toward storage limits until permanently removed.

Remove sensitive data: Ensure confidential information is truly deleted by emptying trash.

Clean up mistakes: Permanently remove test data or unwanted items created by error.

Before workspace handoff: Clear trash before transferring workspace ownership to prevent new owners from restoring old data.

Deletion workflows by item type

How to delete different items

Delete a workspace - Must be workspace admin. Deletes all databases, tables, and data within the workspace.

Delete a database - Requires database permissions. Deletes all tables, views, and fields within the database.

Delete a table - Requires table permissions. Deletes all rows, fields, and views within the table.

Delete a view - Deletes view configuration but not underlying table data.

Delete a field - Permanently removes the field and all data in that column.

Frequently asked questions

What happens after the 3-day trash retention period?

Items are permanently deleted from Baserow servers and cannot be recovered through any means, including by Baserow support. The 3-day period is absolute; there’s no extension or grace period beyond this. Export important data before deletion or regularly for backup purposes.

Can workspace admins see who deleted items?

Yes. The trash displays the username of who deleted each item along with the deletion timestamp. This audit trail helps track accidental deletions and identify training needs.

Does trash count toward my storage limit?

Yes. Items in trash count toward workspace storage limits until permanently deleted or until the 3-day retention period expires. If you’re approaching storage limits, consider emptying trash to free up space.

Can I restore individual fields from a deleted table?

Yes, but you must restore the entire table first. Once the table is restored, you can then work with individual fields. You cannot restore individual fields without restoring their parent table.

What happens to linked data when I restore items?

Link-to-table fields and relationships restore correctly when you recover items. If you deleted and restored both linked tables, connections re-establish automatically. If one linked table was permanently deleted, the link fields become empty.

Can I undo actions by other users?

No. Undo/redo only works for your own actions in your current browser session. You cannot undo changes made by other workspace members. Workspace admins can use trash to restore items deleted by others or check change history to see who made what changes.

Is there a way to back up data beyond the 3-day period?

Yes. Export tables, export views, or export entire workspaces regularly to create backups. For automated backup solutions, consider using the Baserow API or webhooks with external backup systems.

Deletion guides

Data management

Access control

Audit and tracking

Advanced features

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