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Delete a contact list
Permanently delete a contact list and everything attached to it - and what to back up first.
Deleting a list removes it and everything attached to it, permanently. It's a good housekeeping habit for lists you genuinely don't need any more, but because it can't be undone, it's worth pausing before you confirm.
Delete a list
- Select Audience, then Lists.
- Find the list you want to remove.
- Click the arrow on the right to open its menu.
- Choose from:
- Edit - change the list's properties.
- Rename - change its name.
- Delete - permanently remove the entire list and its contacts.
- To confirm a deletion, type the word Delete when prompted.
Deleting a list is permanent, and it also removes everything attached to it - subscription forms, previously sent campaigns, and automations. Export the list first if there's any chance you'll need the data. See Export a contact list.
Troubleshooting
Delete is greyed out - the list may have active automations or running campaigns; make sure those are finished, and that you have administrator permissions. Stop any in-progress imports.
The confirmation won't accept "Delete" - type it exactly, with a capital D, no quotes or extra spaces, in the right field.
The list still shows after deleting - refresh, log out and back in, or give it a moment to process.
Error deleting a list with forms - disconnect its subscription forms, remove it from automations, and reassign or delete its campaigns first.
Want a deleted list back - deletion is permanent and can't be recovered, so restore from an export if you have one, and contact support straight away if it was a mistake.
If you can't delete a list that you should be able to, open a support ticket.