---
title: "Purge data manually"
slug: "purge-data-manually"
tags: ["Site Administrator", "How-to", "account"]
updated: 2025-07-22T10:52:18Z
published: 2025-07-22T11:18:12Z
canonical: "totara.help/purge-data-manually"
---

> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://totara.help/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Purge data manually

Part of [managing your site's user data](/19/docs/user-data-management) is deleting user data when it is no longer required, or if a user specifically requests to have their data deleted. Although you will often use [automatic purges](/19/docs/update-automatic-purge-types) for deleted or suspended users, you may also need to purge data manually. Manual data purges are useful as they allow you to purge the data of a particular user (including active users).

Before running a manual purge, you will need to [set up at least one manual purge type](/19/docs/create-a-purge-type). Next, follow these steps:

1. Go to *Quick-access menu >* *Users > Accounts.*
2. Click **Manage users**.
3. Find the user you wish to purge.
4. Click the stack icon (![](https://cdn.document360.io/a007399b-031e-436b-999a-528240e16f58/Images/Documentation/image-1635957309489.png?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-11-01T13%3A46%3A44Z&se=2026-11-01T14%3A46%3A44Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=a%2FkSzP9cj6GRqxy3B0RY9RkBrUwSFU%2BWMf6taH2u70E%3D)) next to their name.
5. Click **Select purge type**.
6. Select the **Purge type** you wish to run from the dropdown list.
7. Click **Purge user data** to run the purge.

![Course badge](https://cdn.document360.io/a007399b-031e-436b-999a-528240e16f58/Images/Documentation/course-badge_creating-users-in-totara.svg?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-11-01T13%3A46%3A44Z&se=2026-11-01T14%3A46%3A44Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=a%2FkSzP9cj6GRqxy3B0RY9RkBrUwSFU%2BWMf6taH2u70E%3D)The Totara Academy has a whole course dedicated to [Creating users](https://totara.community/course/view.php?id=533) in Totara. Here you can learn more on how to add users, manage their data, see best practice, and give it a go yourself.

Join the [Totara Community](https://totara.community/) for more resources to help you get the most out of Totara.

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