Deleting a record in FileMaker is generally permanent. Unlike many desktop applications, FileMaker does not provide an “Undo” option after a record has been committed. Whether a deleted record can be recovered depends on how your system is configured, when the deletion occurred, and what backup options are available.
What happens when a record is deleted?
Once a record has been deleted and the action is committed, it is immediately removed from the live database. Other users will no longer see the record, and there is no built-in recycle bin where deleted records are stored.
If the deletion was accidental, avoid trying to recreate the record from memory. It is often more helpful for us to review your backups or transaction history before additional changes are made, particularly if the deleted record had related records or attachments.
Can the record be recovered?
In many cases, recovery is possible, but it is rarely as simple as clicking a restore button. If a recent backup exists, we may be able to retrieve the deleted information without affecting the rest of your live database. The exact process depends on the complexity of your solution and whether related data has changed since the backup was created.
Restoring an entire backup is usually not the preferred solution because it would also undo legitimate work performed by other users after the backup was taken. Instead, we typically extract only the missing data from the backup and merge it back into the live system whenever possible.
What should you do if you accidentally delete a record?
If you believe an important record has been deleted, let us know as soon as possible. Tell us what type of record was deleted, approximately when it happened, and whether you know who deleted it. The sooner we can investigate, the easier it is to determine whether the information can be recovered from a recent backup.
If multiple records were deleted or you suspect the deletion was caused by a script or import process, avoid making further changes until we have had an opportunity to review the situation. Continuing to modify related data can make recovery more complicated and time-consuming.