# Archiving and purging: hard delete, truncation, retention

*Platform Data Architect Study Guide · Large Data Volume Considerations · Last updated October 26, 2026 · https://www.certifyforce.com/study-guide/platform-data-architect/large-data-volume-considerations/archiving-and-purging-hard-delete-truncation-retention*

How to keep active data small: soft versus hard delete, truncation, Mass Delete Records and scheduled batch purges, storage allocations, field history retention with Field Audit Trail, and where archived data should live.

- Certification: Salesforce Platform Data Architect
- Exam section: Large Data Volume Considerations
- Study guide: https://www.certifyforce.com/study-guide/platform-data-architect

**Official exam objective:**

> Given a customer scenario, recommend a data archiving and purging plan that is optimal for the customer's data storage management needs.

## What the exam expects

- Recommend a lifecycle that archives or discards data as fast as it arrives, and pick where archived data lives.
- Choose the purge tool: standard delete, Bulk API 2.0 hard delete, truncation, Mass Delete Records or scheduled batch Apex.
- Estimate data and file storage from edition and licenses, and say what doesn't count against it.
- Set field history retention with Field Audit Trail and HistoryRetentionPolicy.

Key terms: **soft delete** (rows flagged deleted and kept in the Recycle Bin); **hard delete** (rows bypass the Recycle Bin); **truncation** (removing every record of a custom object while keeping the object); **data tiering** (spreading data across objects or stores by how often it's used); **HistoryRetentionPolicy** (per-object months before history is archived).

## Key facts

| Fact | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Recycle Bin | 15 days; doesn't count against storage | [Recycle Bin](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=sf.home_delete.htm&language=en_US&type=5) |
| Hard delete threshold | One million or more records: Bulk API or Bulk API 2.0 hard delete | [LDV Deleting best practices](https://developer.salesforce.com/docs/platform/salesforce-large-data-volumes-bp/guide/ldv-deployments-best-practices-deleting-data.html) |
| Bulk API Hard Delete permission | Disabled by default; Salesforce user license required | [Create a Job](https://developer.salesforce.com/docs/atlas.en-us.api_asynch.meta/api_asynch/create_job.htm) |
| Truncation blockers | Custom index, external ID, lookup reference, skinny table, standard object | [Truncation Considerations](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=sf.dev_object_trunc_overview.htm&language=en_US&type=5) |
| Data storage, Unlimited | 10 GB plus 120 MB per user license | [Storage Allocations](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=overview_storage.htm&language=en_US&type=5) |
| Data storage, Enterprise | 10 GB plus 20 MB per user license | [Storage Allocations](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=overview_storage.htm&language=en_US&type=5) |
| Big object storage | 1 million records per org by default; contact Salesforce for more | [Storage Allocations](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=overview_storage.htm&language=en_US&type=5) |
| Field history storage | Doesn't count against storage limits | [Field History Tracking](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=sf.tracking_field_history.htm&language=en_US&type=5) |
| Field Audit Trail default | Archives after 18 months in production, one month in sandboxes | [Field Audit Trail](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?language=en_US&id=xcloud.field_audit_trail.htm&type=5) |

## Check yourself

- Why does a hard delete job fail for an integration user with Modify All Data?
- When should a purge delete child records before parents?
- Why can't a mashup archive feed Salesforce reports?
- Which storage do Salesforce Files count against?

## Sources

- [Deleting Data (Large Data Volumes techniques)](https://developer.salesforce.com/docs/platform/salesforce-large-data-volumes-bp/guide/ldv-deployments-techniques-deleting-data.html)
- [Deleting Data (Large Data Volumes best practices)](https://developer.salesforce.com/docs/platform/salesforce-large-data-volumes-bp/guide/ldv-deployments-best-practices-deleting-data.html)
- [Create a Job (Bulk API 2.0)](https://developer.salesforce.com/docs/atlas.en-us.api_asynch.meta/api_asynch/create_job.htm)
- [Recycle Bin](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=sf.home_delete.htm&language=en_US&type=5)
- [Considerations for Truncating Custom Objects](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=sf.dev_object_trunc_overview.htm&language=en_US&type=5)
- [Truncate Custom Objects](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=sf.dev_object_trunc.htm&language=en_US&type=5)
- [Delete Multiple Records and Reports](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=sf.admin_massdelete.htm&language=en_US&type=5)
- [Use Batch Apex](https://developer.salesforce.com/docs/atlas.en-us.apexcode.meta/apexcode/apex_batch_interface.htm)
- [Data and File Storage Allocations](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=overview_storage.htm&language=en_US&type=5)
- [Field Audit Trail](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?language=en_US&id=xcloud.field_audit_trail.htm&type=5)
- [Field History Tracking Overview](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=sf.tracking_field_history.htm&language=en_US&type=5)
- [Best Practices (Large Data Volumes)](https://developer.salesforce.com/docs/platform/salesforce-large-data-volumes-bp/guide/ldv-deployments-best-practices.html)
- [General (Large Data Volumes best practices)](https://developer.salesforce.com/docs/platform/salesforce-large-data-volumes-bp/guide/ldv-deployments-best-practices-general.html)
- [Using Mashups (Large Data Volumes)](https://developer.salesforce.com/docs/platform/salesforce-large-data-volumes-bp/guide/ldv-deployments-techniques-using-mashups.html)
- [Salesforce Connect](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?language=en_US&id=sf.platform_connect_about.htm&type=5)
- [Legacy Salesforce Archive](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=xcloud.archive_overview.htm&language=en_US&type=5)
- [Big Objects Best Practices](https://developer.salesforce.com/docs/platform/big-object-impl-guide/guide/big-object-considerations.html)
- [Delete Data in a Custom Big Object](https://developer.salesforce.com/docs/platform/big-object-impl-guide/guide/big-object-delete.html)
- [Export Backup Data from Salesforce](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=sf.admin_exportdata.htm&language=en_US&type=5)
- [Reliability (Well-Architected)](https://architect.salesforce.com/docs/architect/well-architected/guide/reliability.html)

## About the full unit

The "Core concepts", "Exam traps" and "Worked scenario" sections of this unit, its 20 linked practice questions, and unlimited timed mock exams are included with the Platform Data Architect pack (USD $19): https://www.certifyforce.com/practice-exams