<p>I assume you're referring to the <code>archived</code> column in the <code>craft_users</code> table in the database.</p>

<p>Originally we were going to use that as a way to "soft delete" different elements in Craft (Users, Entries, etc.), but never got around to implementing it for various reasons, so there is no UI for it and no backing code to support it currently.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-09-18T17:56:06.297Z
So, I guess it's best to use 'suspended' as a way to keep users' data in the system, without the user being able to login?
Paul
CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-09-18T17:57:08.597Z
That'll definitely do it!
Brad Bell
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-05-19T18:18:39.520Z
Did you decide against these soft deletes, @BradBell, or could one hypothetically submit a feature request in support of the effort?
Matt Stein
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-05-19T22:26:27.030Z
@MattStein Essentially this is the FR: https://github.com/craftcms/cms/issues/867
Brad Bell
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-05-20T01:39:45.530Z
I guess user archiving serves a slightly different purpose than soft delete then. My ideal case would be closing (but not deleting) user accounts to preserve authorship even after they've left the site or organization.
Matt Stein
CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-09-18T17:53:44.387Z
2015-09-18T17:53:44.387Z
Brad Bell
<p>I want to archive users from a plugin, but can't seem to find the appropriate method to do so (not even in the control panel). I can suspend, delete, but not archive.</p>

<p>Any ideas?</p>

<plugin-development><users>
How do I archive a user from a plugin
# How do I archive a user from a plugin

(Asked by: username_0 on 2015-09-18)

I want to archive users from a plugin, but can't seem to find the appropriate method to do so (not even in the control panel). I can suspend, delete, but not archive.

Any ideas?

**Tags:** plugin-development, users


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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2015-09-18. Score: 2 | Accepted answer

I assume you're referring to the `archived` column in the `craft_users` table in the database.

Originally we were going to use that as a way to "soft delete" different elements in Craft (Users, Entries, etc.), but never got around to implementing it for various reasons, so there is no UI for it and no backing code to support it currently.

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: So, I guess it's best to use 'suspended' as a way to keep users' data in the system, without the user being able to login?  
> **username_1**: That'll definitely do it!  
> **username_2**: Did you decide against these soft deletes, @BradBell, or could one hypothetically submit a feature request in support of the effort?  
> **username_1**: @MattStein Essentially this is the FR: https://github.com/craftcms/cms/issues/867  
> **username_2**: I guess user archiving serves a slightly different purpose than soft delete then. My ideal case would be closing (but not deleting) user accounts to preserve authorship even after they've left the site or organization.  

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