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smcvr15-Moonstone
15-Moonstone
March 28, 2025
Solved

Data Deletion from Windchill

  • March 28, 2025
  • 3 replies
  • 579 views

Hello,

I want to delete the data marked as "canceled" in Windchill before a certain date, but I can't delete the data that is linked or connected to a workflow. What can I do about this? Is there a way to delete it even if it's linked?

Best answer by HelesicPetr

Hi @smcvr 

A Simple answer is No.

You have to remove any references to the object and then you can delete it.

Sometimes it is tricky.

Reference to the assembly(non latest versions), drawings wtparts, wtdocuments, change objects promotion object workflow etc.

 

PS: never ever delete data from Windchill. The deleting is too complicated from user perspective . Sometimes it is not possible to do so. 

 

PetrH

3 replies

HelesicPetr
22-Sapphire II
HelesicPetr22-Sapphire IIAnswer
22-Sapphire II
March 28, 2025

Hi @smcvr 

A Simple answer is No.

You have to remove any references to the object and then you can delete it.

Sometimes it is tricky.

Reference to the assembly(non latest versions), drawings wtparts, wtdocuments, change objects promotion object workflow etc.

 

PS: never ever delete data from Windchill. The deleting is too complicated from user perspective . Sometimes it is not possible to do so. 

 

PetrH

    avillanueva
    23-Emerald I
    avillanueva23-Emerald I
    23-Emerald I
    March 28, 2025

    @HelesicPetr is right that the links to the object are there to maintain system integrity and history. It really depends on the data. Often times deleting data cleans things up by deleting links but it depends on the link and which way its going. For example, you can delete a top level WTPart that has a BOM but you cannot delete the component since the top level Part has a link to it.  You must first remove it from the BOM and then purge the top level Part's iteration history to remove all links to it, then it can be safely removed. Lots of work so it depends if you can draw an clean line around the data to get rid of it. Its not impossible however. 

    You mentioned workflows. Were these objects directly tied to the workflow as a primary business object or were they part of a change object that was running under a workflow. Here again, same rules apply. There are some folks out here who have tools to bust links (remove them from DB) which makes deletion easier. You run risk of integrity issues in this approach if not done perfectly. 

    Our system was split from my parent company so we have tons of data from the other sites that was obfuscated in the divestiture. I was able to use normal tools and methods to remove it all but it took time and persistence. Many rounds of removing data in sets to eventually getting it all out. 

    V
    vnamboodheriCommunity Manager
    Community Moderator
    April 4, 2025

    Hello @smcvr, 

     

    It looks like you have some responses from our community champions. If any of these replies helped you solve your question please mark the appropriate reply as the Accepted Solution. 

    Of course, if you have more to share on your issue, please let the Community know so other community members can continue to help you.

    Thanks,
    Vivek N.
    Community Moderation Team.

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