How to delete database things in Bubble

The short version: In Bubble, you delete things by running an action called “Delete thing” or “Delete a list of things” inside a workflow. You pass Bubble the Thing (or list of Things) you want removed, and Bubble permanently removes them from the database.

How to Delete a Single Thing

To remove one record (Bubble calls all records “Things”), you trigger any workflow event, then add the action Data → Delete thing. In the action’s field “Thing to delete,” you reference the specific item (for example: “Current cell’s Thing”). Once the workflow runs, that record is gone permanently.

• You often use this inside repeating groups, because each cell gives you direct access to one specific Thing.
• If you’re deleting from a button click, make sure the button has access to the Thing through its data source or parent group.

How to Delete a List of Things

You can also delete many records at once using Data → Delete a list of things. Bubble asks for a list; you usually provide it using a search. For example, “Search for Orders (status = cancelled)”. Bubble will delete every item returned by the search.

• Useful for cleanup tasks through backend workflows.
• Be careful: this removes everything in the list with no undo.

Deleting Things Safely (Privacy + Permissions)

Bubble will only let a workflow delete something if the user running the workflow has permission based on Privacy Rules. If a deletion isn’t working, check Data → Privacy. The user must have the permission “Find this in searches” and “Modify/delete this thing.”

• For secure apps, only allow admins or the Thing’s owner to delete it.
• Backend workflows bypass some UI limits but still follow privacy rules unless you mark them to run “Ignore privacy rules.”

Real Example: Deleting an Expired Token via Backend Workflow

A backend workflow can auto-delete old records. You create a scheduled API workflow, run a search, and delete the results.

// Backend workflow action example
// Action: Data → Delete a list of things
List to delete = Search for Tokens:filtered (Expiration date < Current date/time)

This keeps your database clean without manual user actions.