---
title: "Deleting a Dataset"
method: DELETE
path: "/v1/projects/{projectId}/datasets/{name}"
tags: ["Dataset Management"]
---

# Deleting a Dataset

`DELETE /v1/projects/{projectId}/datasets/{name}`

_(introduced: version 2026.1)_

When a Dataset is deleted, it is soft-deleted and placed in the trash. After 30 days in the trash, the Dataset and all of its Entities will be automatically purged. Unlike Forms, deleted Datasets cannot be restored.

While in the trash, the Dataset's Entity data can still be exported as a CSV snapshot using [GET /projects/:id/trash/datasets/:datasetId/entities.csv](/central-api-dataset-management/#downloading-deleted-dataset-entities).

A Dataset cannot be deleted if any Forms are still linked to it, either as a source (a Form that creates/updates Entities in it) or as a consumer (a Form that uses it as an attachment). All such Forms must be updated first:
- To update a Form that writes to a Dataset, remove that dataset from the `entities` tab of the XLSForm and remove associated `save_to`s.
- To update a Form that reads from a Dataset, replace the attachment with a static CSV or update the Form to not use that attachment.

A Form can also be deleted as a way to unlink it from a Dataset, but then that Form [cannot be restored](/central-api-form-management/#restoring-a-form).

## Path parameters

- `projectId` number, required
- `name` string, required

## Response `200`

OK

- Success
  - `success` boolean, required

## Other responses

- `409` — Conflict

## Changes

- **2026-04-03** `2aed27d9e013` — 1 info
  - endpoint added
- **2025-03-13** `e8c2858fd4eb` — 1 breaking
  - api path removed without deprecation

[Change history](https://skmtc.dev/getodk/apis/odk-central-api/changes/v1/projects/:projectId/datasets/:name/delete.md)

---

[API](https://skmtc.dev/getodk/apis/odk-central-api.md) · [All operations](https://skmtc.dev/getodk/apis/odk-central-api/llms.txt) · [OpenAPI document](https://skmtc-service-production.skmtc.workers.dev/v1/apis/getodk/odk-central-api/revisions/d4f5ba77f644/schema)