Trello is a popular project management tool that allows users to organize projects into boards, lists, and cards. As projects progress, older lists may become irrelevant or clutter the workspace. Trello has an archiving feature that allows users to remove lists while still keeping them accessible if needed later. This article explains how to archive and unarchive lists in Trello.
Table of Contents
When to Archive Trello Lists
Here are some common reasons to archive Trello lists:
- The list is from an old or completed project
- The list no longer applies to the current project scope
- You want to clean up the board’s appearance
- Information in the list needs to be saved but is not actively used
Archiving outdated or irrelevant lists helps keep your Trello boards clutter-free and focused on current projects.
How to Archive a List in Trello
Archiving a list in Trello removes it from the board but keeps it accessible in your archived items. Follow these steps:
- Open the Trello board that contains the list
- Hover over the list title and click the “…” icon
- Select Archive this list
- Confirm archiving in the pop-up window
The list will disappear from the active board but be saved in your archived items.
You can also archive all cards within a list at once using the “Archive all cards in this list” option.
Viewing Archived Trello Lists
Once you’ve archived some lists, you may need to view them again to reference information. Access archived Trello lists in a few steps:
- Open the board that the list originated from
- Click Show Menu (3 dots icon) in the top right
- Select More
- Choose Archived items
- Click Switch to lists at the top of the page
You will then see all archived lists from that board. You can preview list contents before deciding whether to restore it to the active board.
Unarchiving Lists in Trello
When you need to use an archived Trello list again, bring it back to the active board:
- Follow the steps above to view archived lists
- Hover over the list you want to restore
- Click Send to board
The unarchived list will reappear in its original position on the board.
Tips for Managing Archived Items in Trello
- Give archived lists and cards meaningful titles so they are easy to identify later
- Add comments explaining why items were archived and any useful context
- Archive items that you might need again separately from those being permanently deleted
- View archived items every so often to purge irrelevant information
Deleting Archived Lists from Trello Permanently
If you need to fully delete an archived list rather than keep it in your archived items, there is a workaround method:
- First unarchive the list to send it back to the active board
- Move the list to a separate, empty board (click “Move list” from the list menu)
- Close the empty board which contains the list
- Delete the entire board
Closing the board will delete all lists in that board rather than just archiving them. This is how to permanently remove lists from Trello without having to delete all cards individually.
Conclusion
Trello’s archiving option lets you clear irrelevant or outdated content from boards while still keeping it accessible if needed later. Make sure to give archived items clear titles, add context comments, and periodically review old information. When you need to reference or restore an archived list, navigate to the board’s archived items and click “Send to board”. With Trello’s flexible archiving capabilities, you can focus on current projects without losing old information.
