Possible to do a bulk delete of sheets?

Ownership for some sheets that are shared with our VP of the PMO was transferred and when he got the notice he decided we need to clean up (delete) our Smartsheet ancient history. The number of impacted sheets (older than 3 months) is laughably small and I can easily delete them manually but I can't see them since I don't own them (although I am an admin). Is there a way to do a bulk delete either through parameters (older than x days and owned/not owned by Joe User) or by using a list of keys or sheet names?

Note that telling the PMO this is a silly idea isn't a good career move and that all impacted sheet owners have been warned and given time to reset the change bit or delete their own sheets.

Thanks!

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Comments

J. Craig Williams

badunc,

This could be done via the API, but is probably best done manually to avoid deleting something valuable.

I have several sheets that have not been updated in a year but are still important to my infrastructure. I would not bulk delete on date. Sounds like you know that.

Craig

Shaine Greenwood

To add to what Craig pointed out: within the Smartsheet application, you can only delete sheets that you own. You'd need to take possession of the other sheets in order to be able to delete them.

Otherwise, you can use the API to delete other user's sheets: https://smartsheet-platform.github.io/api-docs/#admin-features

badunc

Thank you for your comments! I pretty much assumed that was my only option but wanted to ask first. I will make one more attempt at changing the VP's mind before going the API route!

J. Craig Williams

If you are worried about your career, I could talk to him.

I have no bridges to burn.

Craig

badunc

Hilarious, Craig!

Jennifer Dewhurst

I would request ownership of the sheets from the current owners. Then you can delete them yourself.

1) Find the sheets you need to delete (do NOT open them)

2) Check the box to the left of the sheet name

3) under Actions at the top, click "Make me the Owner"

badunc

Good news: The powers-that-be decided that we didn't have a crisis on our hands after all. I asked the users to be self-policing and I'll keep an eye out for rampant proliferation of sheets but for now the threat of mass deletion is over.