How_do_I_delete_orphan_records_

How do I delete orphan records?

When tracking history is deleted, you may have orphan records. An orphan record is created when deleting tracking history (like logs or history) may leave behind related data that no longer has a parent or reference, in other words, pieces of information that used to be connected to something you just deleted. 

Example: A system logs permit applications (PermitTable) and each permit application's activity log (TrackingTable). If you delete an entry in the PermitTable but don't also delete related tracking logs, the tracking entries become orphans because they refer to permits that no longer exist. 

Common causes of orphans records when deleting tracking information: 

  • Manual deletion without cleanup. You deleted tracking information without deleting related records. 

  • Out-of-order deletions. You removed dependent records before removing their associated entries. 

  • Improper scheduled task. Your cleanup script only deletes part of the data structure (for example, logs but not associated metadata). 

 

 

Before you get started

Deleting tracking information will delete records from the database. You should back up the database before continuing. (System Management > System Tools > Send Database)  

 

Deleting orphan records

1. Open Connect System Management > System Tools > Delete Tracking Information.

2. What is the name of the application with the change log?

Select the application name from the Application drop-down list.

 

3. How far back do you want to keep entries in the tracking change log?

Enter a MM/DD/YYYY in the Delete Tracking Information Prior To field. The routine will delete all of the entries that were created before the entered date.  

 

4. Set up the Delete Orphan Records checkbox.

An orphan record is a record that is not tied to an existing record.

 

Do you want to delete orphan records?

  • Yes, I want to delete orphan records. Select the Delete Orphan Records checkbox.

  • No, I do not want to delete orphan records. Leave blank the Delete Orphan Records checkbox.  

 

5. Click GO (CTRL+G).

The orphan records have been deleted.

 

 

 

Copyright © 2025 Caselle, Incorporated. All rights reserved.

    • Related Articles

    • How do I delete terminated employee records?

      How do I delete terminated employee records? Remove terminated employees from Payroll. When an employee’s record is no longer required, you can delete the entire record, including summary records, from Payroll. Use Delete Inactive Employees to delete ...

    • How do I look for terminated employee records with issues?

      In some situations, an organization may want to delete terminated employee records from the Payroll database. An employee record cannot be deleted, if the date when the employee was terminated is less than the current payroll year minus the number of ...

    • How do I recalculate employee/employer summary records?

      Recalculate the employee/employer summary records that Payroll will use to calculate pay code limits. In some circumstances, the pay code or employee/employer pay code may use the wrong calculation formula to calculate pay code limits. To fix the ...

    • How do I find terminated employee records that can be deleted?

      In some situations, an organization may want to delete terminated employee records from the Payroll database. An employee record can be deleted, if the employee was terminated and the termination date is saved in the employee file. the date when the ...

    • How do I count records?

      There's an option to count the number of records, count the number of records with a value listed in the column, or count both the number of records and the number of records with a value. Counting records 1. Open a report. 2. Click to select the ...