Deleting a member removes them from the workspace permanently once the grace period ends, and they cannot be restored after that. Their comments and the records they created stay in place. If you may need the person back, deactivate the member instead of deleting them.
Plan Availability | All plans. |
Permissions | Administrators: deactivate, reactivate or delete members. |
Platform | Web |
Related Reading |
A member must go, or come back: check these four things, in order
Administrators deactivate, reactivate or delete members.
Will they return? Deactivate instead of delete; an inactive member keeps the profile and can be reactivated. See What should I do instead of deleting?.
What a deletion keeps. Comments and records stay, the seat is freed, and after the grace period the member cannot be restored. See What happens when a member is deleted?.
Giving access back. After the grace period, re-invite the person and set the role again. See Can a deleted member be restored?.
The seat. Deactivating frees it; reactivating needs a free seat. See Frequently asked questions.
Still stuck: select the chat button in the lower-right corner of SmartSuite. The last block of the panel shows the service status, and Send a message in the same panel reaches support. Include the member and the date of the change. The steps are in Deactivate or reactivate a member.
What happens when a member is deleted?
The member is removed from the workspace permanently after a grace period and cannot be restored once that period ends.
Their historical activity, such as comments and the records they created, remains visible in the workspace.
Their licensed seat is freed.
Can a deleted member be restored?
No, not after the grace period. To give the person access again, re-invite them and set up their role and permissions again.
What should I do instead of deleting?
Deactivate the member. An inactive member cannot log in, be selected in member lists or be tagged, but their profile is kept and you can reactivate them at any time.
Review roles and licensed seats regularly so only active people occupy seats.
Frequently asked questions
Does deleting a member delete their records or comments?
Does deleting a member delete their records or comments?
No. Records and comments stay in the workspace.
Does deactivating free the seat?
Does deactivating free the seat?
Yes. An inactive member does not occupy a licensed seat; reactivating them needs a free seat.
Can I restore a member within the grace period?
Can I restore a member within the grace period?
Deletion is designed as permanent. Deactivate instead whenever there is a chance the person returns.
Last verified 26 Oct 2026.