---
sourceDocument: Xanadu ServiceNow AI Platform Administration
sourceDocumentLink: https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/r/xanadu/platform-administration

 Release :

    - xanadu

ft:locale :

    - en-US

ft:publication_title :

    - Xanadu ServiceNow AI Platform Administration

ft:clusterId :

    - platadm

bundleId :

    - platadm

workflow :

    - Platform


---

# Delete all records from a table

# Delete all records from a table {#ariaid-title1}

* Release version: Xanadu
* 
* Updated August 1, 2024
* 
* ![](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/portal-asset/ico-clock) 1 minute to read

You may decide to delete all the records on a table without deleting the table
itself. For example, the administrator may want to delete all incidents on a test instance
without deleting the incident table itself.

## Before you begin

Role required: admin

## About this task

When you prepare to delete many records from a table, consider the following guidelines to minimize impact on performance.

* Limit the number of records to be deleted in a single delete action to prevent the table from being locked. Use the setLimit() method described at [setLimit](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/access?context=c_GlideRecordScopedAPI&version=xanadu&pubname=xanadu-api-reference&ft:locale=en-US).
* Minimize triggering an excessive number of business rules as a result of this deletion. Use the setWorkflow(Boolean e) method described at [setWorkflow](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/access?context=c_GlideRecordScopedAPI&version=xanadu&pubname=xanadu-api-reference&ft:locale=en-US).

{#t_DeleteAllRecordsFromATable__ul_ldt_vby_bs}  
Note:  
Deleting all records for a table also deletes records from tables that extend the table.

There are several methods for deleting table records. Depending on the number of
records to be deleted, choose the method that would be most efficient in your
environment. Use these methods with caution. Before performing this procedure, be
sure that you do not need any of the records.

## Procedure

* From the Tables and Columns module, complete the following steps.
  1. Navigate to System DefinitionTables \& Columns.
  2. Select the table for which to delete records.  
     Note:  
     If the table you want to delete records from belongs to a scoped application, select that application in the scope picker. Alternatively, configure scope-to-scope access. See [Restricted caller access privilege settings](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/access?context=restricted-caller-access-privilege&version=xanadu&pubname=xanadu-application-development&ft:locale=en-US).  
     Note:  
     Some system tables do not allow this method of deleting records, for example, you cannot delete all user records \[sys_user\]. The list of tables does not include system tables that you cannot delete records from.
  3. Click Delete all records.
  4. In the confirmation dialog box, enter <kbd class="ph userinput">delete</kbd> and click OK.
  {#t_DeleteAllRecordsFromATable__substeps_jgd_hdy_bs}
* From a list view, complete the following steps.
  1. In List v2, navigate to the list view that displays the table records, click the context menu, and then navigate to Show.
  2. In List v3, click \<Number\> rows per page in the footer.
  3. Set the number of rows per page to display the max number.
  4. Select all the rows on the page.
  5. Click Actions on selected rows, and then click Delete.
  6. Continue deleting all rows on a page until all records are deleted.
  {#t_DeleteAllRecordsFromATable__substeps_x3x_12y_bs}
{#t_DeleteAllRecordsFromATable__steps-unordered_vvh_zcy_bs}

## Result

The selected table is empty of records. The table still exists, and any references to the table on other tables (such as business rules or reference fields) are preserved.

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