# Delete an element

:::info
To protect answers that were already submitted in earlier [review editions](/en/c/feedbacks/what-are-review-editions), elements and questions are **archived** first when you remove them from the questionnaire — they are not deleted right away. Archived elements no longer appear for participants, but they stay intact in older results.

:::

## Archive an element

**To archive an element or question in a review's questionnaire:**

1. [Open the questionnaire editor](/en/c/feedbacks/edit-questionnaire).
2. Hover over the element or question you want to archive. A toolbar appears at its top-right edge.
3. Click the archive icon in the toolbar.

 ![Toolbar with the archive icon highlighted](/attachments/feedbacks/element-loeschen/werkzeugleiste-archiv-symbol.png)

4. Confirm with **Archive now**.

 ![Confirmation dialog "Archive element?"](/attachments/feedbacks/element-loeschen/dialog-archivieren.png)

The element disappears from the questionnaire immediately. It no longer shows up in new review editions, but it stays intact in the results of editions that are already finished.

## Show archived elements

To make archived elements visible in the questionnaire editor, click the archive icon in the top-right corner of the editor.

 ![Archive icon in the editor toolbar](/attachments/feedbacks/element-loeschen/archiv-toggle-button.png)

Archived elements now appear greyed out with a strikethrough marker. In this mode you can restore archived elements or delete them permanently.

 ![Archived element shown in the questionnaire editor](/attachments/feedbacks/element-loeschen/archiviertes-element-anzeige.png)

## Restore an element

**To restore an archived element:**

1. [Show the archived elements](#show-archived-elements).
2. Hover over the archived element. Two icons appear at its right edge.
3. Click the archive icon (left) to restore the element.

 ![Toolbar of an archived element with the restore icon highlighted](/attachments/feedbacks/element-loeschen/archiviert-werkzeugleiste.png)

4. Confirm with **Reactivate now**.

 ![Confirmation dialog "Reactivate element?"](/attachments/feedbacks/element-loeschen/dialog-aktivieren.png)

The element is restored immediately and appears for participants again from the next edition onward.

## Delete an element permanently

:::warning
Deleting an element permanently also deletes every answer collected for that question. This cannot be undone.

:::

**To delete an archived element permanently:**

1. [Show the archived elements](#show-archived-elements).
2. Hover over the archived element. Two icons appear at its right edge.
3. Click the X icon (right) to delete the element permanently.
4. Confirm with **Delete now**.

 ![Confirmation dialog "Delete element?" with a warning](/attachments/feedbacks/element-loeschen/dialog-endgueltig-loeschen.png)

The element is removed irreversibly from the questionnaire and from all its results.