Unclear on How Much Data Is Actually Lost When You Delete a Custom Form

[TimBaker]

Many of our custom forms use the same fields. When you attempt to delete a custom form, you get warning message that says, "Deleting this form causes all custom data on the objects associated with the form to also be deleted. The deleted data cannot be recovered." I'm unsure of the scope of "all custom data." Does this mean that any other custom form that happens to use the same fields as the deleted form will have all their historical data in those fields deleted as well? Or does it only affect the historical data of the field associated with that particular form? Hope that makes sense.

[JustinRenteria2 · Accepted solution]

Hi Tim, deleting a form will only delete data that was present on that form.  So if a field is used on Form A and Form B, and you happen to delete Form B, then the fields contents on Form A will still be accessible and viewable. The field itself exists outside of the form and can be reused on other new/existing forms as needed.  Now, if you happen to delete the field from the Field List in the setup area, then the field disappears from all forms and the data associated with it will also be gone.