---
title: How to delete an idea
description: Steps to delete idea
---

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# How to delete an idea

## Steps to delete idea

| **What is Delete an Idea feature?** |
| --- |
| Delete an Idea is a Community Moderator action that removes an idea from active view by moving it to the Recycle Bin, from which it can later be permanently removed. |

Removing an idea is a responsibility that lies solely with a community's Community Moderator. Deleting an idea does not remove it outright — it moves the idea to the Recycle Bin, from which a Community Moderator can later permanently delete it using the Moderator Dashboard or the Idea Portfolio.

---

### Role Permissions

1. **Community Moderator & Campaign Moderator:** Deletes ideas from the Idea Details Page, the Moderator Dashboard, and the Idea Portfolio, moving them to the Recycle Bin; also permanently deletes ideas already in the Recycle Bin using the Moderator Dashboard or the Idea Portfolio.

---

**TABLE OF CONTENTS**

[Deleting an Idea from the Idea Details Page](https://help.ideascale.com/delete-an-idea#idea-detail-page)  
[Deleting an Idea from the Moderator Dashboard](https://help.ideascale.com/delete-an-idea#moderator-dashboard)  
[Deleting an Idea from the Idea Portfolio](https://help.ideascale.com/delete-an-idea#idea-portfolio)  
[Bulk Deleting Ideas from the Idea Portfolio](https://help.ideascale.com/delete-an-idea#bulk-delete)  
[Exceptions](https://help.ideascale.com/delete-an-idea#Exceptions)  
[Frequently Asked Questions](https://help.ideascale.com/delete-an-idea#faq)

---

### Deleting an Idea from the Idea Details Page

### ![Screenshot 2025-07-29 at 10.19.07 AM.png](https://help.ideascale.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Screenshot%202025-07-29%20at%2010.19.07%20AM.png.webp?width=670&height=610&name=Screenshot%202025-07-29%20at%2010.19.07%20AM.png.webp)

A Community Moderator can delete an idea directly from its Idea Details Page, using the **More** (3 dots) option. Deleting the idea moves it to the Recycle Bin rather than removing it permanently.

---

### Deleting an Idea from the Moderator Dashboard

### ![Screenshot 2026-06-25 at 9.17.15 AM](https://help.ideascale.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Screenshot%202026-06-25%20at%209.17.15%20AM.png?width=670&height=350&name=Screenshot%202026-06-25%20at%209.17.15%20AM.png)

A Community Moderator can delete an idea from the Moderator Dashboard using the **Moderate Idea** button. Deleting the idea moves it to the Recycle Bin. A Community Moderator can also permanently delete ideas already in the Recycle Bin from the Moderator Dashboard. See Exceptions below.

**[Help Article for Moderator Dashboard](https://help.ideascale.com/im?hsLang=en)**

---

### Deleting an Idea from the Idea Portfolio

### ![Screenshot 2026-06-25 at 9.19.20 AM](https://help.ideascale.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Screenshot%202026-06-25%20at%209.19.20%20AM.png?width=670&height=337&name=Screenshot%202026-06-25%20at%209.19.20%20AM.png)

A Community Moderator can delete an idea from the Idea Portfolio using Action menu (3 dots). Deleting the idea moves it to the Recycle Bin. A Community Moderator can also permanently delete ideas already in the Recycle Bin from the Idea Portfolio.

**Note:** Ideas once permanently deleted from the Recycle Bin cannot be retrieved. See Exceptions below.

[**Help Article for Idea Portfolio**](https://help.ideascale.com/ip?hsLang=en)

---

### Bulk Deleting Ideas from the Idea Portfolio

Multiple ideas can be deleted at once from the Idea Portfolio by selecting the desired ideas and choosing the **Delete Idea** option from the B**ulk Action Bar**. The system prompts for confirmation before completing the deletion.

![delete idea IP](https://help.ideascale.com/hs-fs/hubfs/delete%20idea%20IP.gif?width=670&height=290&name=delete%20idea%20IP.gif)

---

### Exceptions

1. Recycle Bin Deletion: Ideas permanently deleted from the Recycle Bin cannot be retrieved or restored.

---

### Frequently Asked Questions

#### What happens to an idea after it is deleted?

An idea is not removed outright when deleted. It moves to the Recycle Bin, where a Community Moderator can later delete it permanently.

#### Can a deleted idea be recovered from the Recycle Bin?

Yes, until it is permanently deleted from the Recycle Bin using the Moderator Dashboard or the Idea Portfolio. Once permanently deleted, it cannot be retrieved. See Exceptions above.

#### Who is responsible for deleting ideas?

Deleting an idea is solely the responsibility of a community's Community Moderator. See Role Permissions above regarding other roles.

#### Can multiple ideas be deleted at the same time?

Yes. Multiple ideas can be deleted at once from the Idea Portfolio using the Delete Idea option in the Bulk Action Bar, which requires confirming the deletion before it completes.

---

**Related Articles**

- [Help Article for Idea Portfolio](https://help.ideascale.com/ip?hsLang=en)<https://help.ideascale.com/ip?hsLang=en>
- [Help Article for Moderator Dashboard](https://help.ideascale.com/im?hsLang=en)<https://help.ideascale.com/im?hsLang=en>

Last Updated: September 4, 2026

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