Delete and Undelete Documents and Folders

Deleting a document or folder removes it from view. However, it does not remove it permanently from the vault. The item can be restored to its original location, similar to restoring files from the Windows Recycle Bin. The difference is that Meridian does not store all deleted documents in one location but rather tracks deleted documents according to their parent folder.

ClosedNotes About Functionality

  • Folders are deleted recursively by both PowerUser and PowerWeb, similar to Windows. This means that deleting a folder that contains sub-folders will also delete the sub-folders and the documents they contain. The confirmation dialog box shows how many child items would be deleted if the user proceeds.

  • Folders and their contents are undeleted recursively by PowerUser but not undeleted recursively by PowerWeb. Undeleting a folder in PowerWeb only restores the folder, not its contents. You must undelete the child folders and documents individually.

  • Deleted documents that have never been released in the vault cannot be undeleted. In other words, new documents cannot be undeleted until after they have been released at least once.

  • References to deleted documents are not restored by Undelete.

ClosedPowerWeb Procedures

Use these steps for PowerWeb.

ClosedDelete a Document or Folder

To delete a document or folder:

  1. Choose one of the following options:

    • Right-click the document or folder that you want to delete, point to Edit and then click Delete.

      A dialog box opens, asking you to confirm your choice.

    • From the ribbon:

      1. Select the document or folder that you want to delete.

      2. In the Edit ribbon, in the Organize group, click Delete.

        A dialog box opens, asking you to confirm your choice.

    • From the Thumbnails view:

      1. Right-click a thumbnail of a folder or document.

      2. Select Edit > Delete.

        A dialog box opens, asking you to confirm your choice.

  2. Click OK.

    The document or folder is deleted.

ClosedUndelete a Document or Folder

To undelete a document or folder:

  1. Choose one of the following options:

    • Right-click the folder from where the document was deleted, then select Edit > Organize > Undelete.

      The Deleted folders and documents dialog box appears.

    • From the ribbon:

      1. Select the folder from where the document was deleted.

      2. In the Edit ribbon, in the Organize group, click Undelete.

        The Deleted folders and documents dialog box appears.

    • From the Thumbnails view:

      1. Right-click a thumbnail of a folder or document.

      2. Select Edit > Organize > Undelete.

  2. Select the items that you want to undelete.

  3. Click Undelete.

    The items are restored.

ClosedPowerUser Procedures

Use these steps for PowerUser.

ClosedDelete a Document or Folder

To delete a document or folder:

  1. Select the document or folder you want to delete.

  2. Choose one of the following options:

    • On the Edit menu, select Delete.

    • Right-click the item and select Delete on the shortcut menu.

    • Press Ctrl+D.

    • Press Delete.

      You are prompted to confirm that you want to delete the item. If the item is a document and it has incoming references, you are prompted to confirm that you want to delete the document.

  3. Click Yes.

ClosedUndelete a Document or Folder

To undelete a document or folder:

  1. Select the parent folder of the item that was deleted.

  2. On the Document or Folder menu, select Undelete.

    The Deleted Folders and Documents dialog box appears, listing items that have been deleted from the selected folder but have not yet been purged from the vault.

  3. Select the item you want to restore and click Undelete.

  4. Click Close.

    The item is restored to its original location.

2023