Undo/redo, delete & trash

Introduction

In Colonnes, deleted items are moved to the Trash, allowing you to recover them if needed. This system provides a safety net for accidental deletions while keeping your workflow clean. This page explains how to delete items, how to restore them, and how to permanently empty the trash.

Undo & Redo

All actions in Selection or Edit Mode can be undone and redone.

Deleting Items

How to Delete with the Mouse

Select one or more items, then use the Trash button in the floating menu at the bottom of the selected column.

How to Delete with the Keyboard

Select one or more items, then use either of these keyboard shortcuts:

Alternatively:

What Happens When You Delete

Delete does not always do the same thing. The result depends on the active view and on whether the selected item exists in Columns, Calendar, or Trash.

Deleting from Columns

When you delete from Columns:

• The selected item is moved to Trash
• If the item is also scheduled in Calendar, its schedule is removed at the same time
• If the item has children, the whole hierarchy moves with it because the children stay attached to that parent

Deleting from Calendar

When you delete from Calendar, there are two different behaviors:

• If the item also exists in Columns, delete only removes its calendar placement. The item stays in Columns.
• If the item exists only in Calendar, delete moves it to Trash

In both cases, the next calendar item is selected when possible.

Deleting from Trash

If the selected item is already inside the Trash hierarchy, delete becomes a permanent delete:

• Deleting a trashed child permanently removes that child
• Deleting a trashed parent permanently removes the parent and all of its descendants

This also applies if the trashed item is still visible in Calendar because it still has schedule data.

Summary

• Columns view: move to Trash
• Calendar view + item also in Columns: unschedule only
• Calendar view + calendar-only item: move to Trash
• Trash view: permanently delete

The Trash

The Trash is a special location where all deleted items are stored. Think of it as a safety buffer between deletion and permanent removal.

Opening the Trash

To view deleted items, you can open the Trash from the main menu, using the three-line icon at the left side of the first column header.

Alternatively:

1. Use the Command Menu ()

2. Once the Command Menu is open, search for Open Trash and select it.

What You’ll See in Trash

• A hierarchical tree of all deleted items
• Complete hierarchy preserved (parent-child relationships maintained)
• Checkboxes to select items for restoration or permanent deletion

Restoring Items

Restored items are returned to their original location in your task list with all their properties intact.

How to Restore

1. Open the Trash
2. Select the items you want to restore using:
   • Click checkboxes to select/deselect items
   • to toggle selection while navigating
   • Select multiple items at once
3. Choose a destination when prompted
   • The Move Menu opens in “restore” mode
   • Select where you want to restore the items
4. Confirm restoration by pressing

Restoring Hierarchies

When restoring items:

• Parent items and their children are restored together
• You cannot restore a parent without its children
• Hierarchy is fully preserved during restoration

Emptying the Trash

Emptying the Trash permanently deletes all items in the Trash. This action cannot be undone.

How to Empty Trash

1. Open the Trash from the Command Menu
2. Press the Empty Trash button at the bottom of the window
   • Or use the keyboard shortcut:
3. Confirm the action in the dialog that appears
   • You’ll be warned that this action cannot be undone
   • Click “Empty Trash” to confirm or “Cancel” to keep the trash

Warning: This action is permanent and cannot be undone. Make sure you don’t need any items in the Trash before confirming.