# What Contact Delete removes and leaves behind

*Marketing Cloud Engagement Developer Study Guide · Data Management · Last updated November 3, 2026 · https://www.certifyforce.com/study-guide/marketing-cloud-engagement-developer/data-management/what-contact-delete-removes-and-leaves-behind*

Which data a Contact Delete removes (lists, sendable data extensions, tracking and preferences) and which it leaves (non-sendable data extensions outside populations, FTP files, other Enterprise 2.0 accounts), how data views and re-added contacts behave afterwards, and how retention policies and the storage report cover the gaps.

- Certification: Salesforce Marketing Cloud Engagement Developer
- Exam section: Data Management
- Study guide: https://www.certifyforce.com/study-guide/marketing-cloud-engagement-developer

**Official exam objective:**

> Given a scenario, describe how data is affected by the Contact delete process.

## What the exam expects

- Predict which stores a completed Contact Delete clears and which still hold the person's data.
- Explain what a re-added contact keeps, and why data views no longer show a deleted subscriber.
- Tell a Subscribers-tab delete apart from a Contact Delete, and handle exported FTP files.
- Scope a deletion across Enterprise 2.0 business units and separate Enterprise 2.0 accounts, and explain why deletions take time.
- Use retention policies and the storage report to cover the data Contact Delete doesn't reach.
- Key terms: **final deletion** (removal from lists and sendable data extensions after the suppression period); **non-sendable data extension** (a table not marked Is Sendable); **population** (a Data Designer link that makes rows contacts); **soft delete** (a reversible Subscribers-tab delete); **retention policy** (a rule that permanently deletes rows or data extensions after a period).

## Key facts

| Fact | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Removed | Lists and sendable data extensions, including tracking and preferences | [Contact Deletion](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=mktg.mc_cab_contact_deletion.htm&type=5&language=en_US) |
| Not covered | Non-sendable data extensions outside a Data Designer population | [Contact Deletion](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=mktg.mc_cab_contact_deletion.htm&type=5&language=en_US) |
| Re-added contact | New unique ID; no previous information | [Contact Deletion](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=mktg.mc_cab_contact_deletion.htm&type=5&language=en_US) |
| Subscribers tab delete | Soft delete that can be reactivated | [Data Retention Information](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=000387245&language=en_US&type=1) |
| FTP files | Removal isn't guaranteed; delete through your FTP account, and deleted files can't be recovered | [Data Retention Information](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=000387245&language=en_US&type=1) |
| Batch limit | Up to one million records | [Contact Delete Best Practices](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=mktg.mc_cab_best_practices.htm&type=5&language=en_US) |
| Cancel | Can't be canceled once started | [Contact Delete Best Practices](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=mktg.mc_cab_best_practices.htm&type=5&language=en_US) |
| System data extensions | Not counted toward the storage allotment | [Data Extension Storage Usage](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=mktg.mc_as_data_extension_storage.htm&type=5&language=en_US) |

## Check yourself

- How long does a data extension keep records when no retention policy is set?
- Why can't rows removed by a retention policy be brought back later?
- Which calculation in the storage CSV points to data extensions with unusually large records?
- When does a role need an extra permission to download the data extension storage details?

## Sources

- [Contact Deletion in Contact Builder](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=mktg.mc_cab_contact_deletion.htm&type=5&language=en_US)
- [Contact Delete Best Practices in Contact Builder](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=mktg.mc_cab_best_practices.htm&type=5&language=en_US)
- [Marketing Cloud Data Retention information](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=000387245&language=en_US&type=1)
- [Data Extension Storage Usage](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=mktg.mc_as_data_extension_storage.htm&type=5&language=en_US)
- [Data View: Sent](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=mktg.mc_as_data_view_sent.htm&type=5&language=en_US)

## About the full unit

The "Core concepts", "Exam traps" and "Worked scenario" sections of this unit, its 9 linked practice questions, and unlimited timed mock exams are included with the Marketing Cloud Engagement Developer pack (USD $19): https://www.certifyforce.com/practice-exams