---
title: "Deleting variable from Collect Earth in mid-survey"
url: "https://openforis.support/questions/283/deleting-variable-from-collect-earth-in-mid-survey"
tags: ["collect", "collectearth"]
status: "accepted"
score: 0
answer_count: 1
asked: "2015-06-23T09:56:13"
last_activity: "2015-06-23T10:05:54"
source: "Open Foris Support - Q&A Forum"
license: "Copyright Open Foris, 2026. Some rights reserved under creative commons license."
---

# Deleting variable from Collect Earth in mid-survey

Asked by Marcelo on 2015-06-23

Hi OF Team,

If I decide not to use a variable anymore, but I have already collected some data on it, what is the best way to proceed? Should I delete the variable from my Survey?

Best,
Marcelo


## Accepted answer (score 1, by Stefano (OF) on 2015-06-23)

Link: https://openforis.support/questions/283/deleting-variable-from-collect-earth-in-mid-survey/284

Hi Marcelo,  
If you delete a variable from your survey, then it will be ignored by the system and you will loose the data associated to that variable.  
Instead, if you want to keep the recorded information, you can specify **false()** in the *Relevant only when expression is verified* field and specify *Hide when not relevant*: in this way, the field will disappear from the user interface but you will preserve the already collected data.  
Thanks,   
OF Team