# What is the difference between deleting and removing a transaction?

> Deleting a transaction in the CounselPro ledger is permanent. Removing one during reconciliation review is reversible, so you can restore it later on.

CounselPro has two ways to take a transaction out of the picture, and they are not the same. One is permanent and one can be undone, so it is worth knowing which is which before you click.

## What does Delete do in the ledger?

Delete is permanent. In the [transaction ledger](https://www.counselpro.ai/docs/review-your-clients-transactions), the **Delete** button in the bulk toolbar and the **Delete Transaction** option in the right-click menu both hard-delete the rows. The confirmation says the transaction will be permanently deleted and cannot be undone, and it means it.

Use Delete only for a row that should not exist at all, like a stray artifact from a bad scan. For a row that is real but labeled wrong, [recategorize it](https://www.counselpro.ai/docs/recategorize-a-transaction) instead of deleting it.

## What does Remove do in reconciliation?

Remove is reversible, and it lives in the [reconciliation review workspace](https://www.counselpro.ai/docs/review-and-fix-a-cycle), not on the main ledger. While you are fixing a cycle that does not tie out, you can remove a row you have confirmed is wrong, like a duplicate. The row is hidden from totals, insights, search, and exports, and the balance recomputes without it.

Because it is reversible, you can bring it back. Removed rows collapse under a **Show removed** toggle, and each one has a **Restore** button to put it back.

> **Note:** The reversible Remove lives only inside the reconciliation workspace. The main ledger has just Delete, which is permanent. Checks can only be deleted, not removed.

So the rule of thumb: if you are certain a row is garbage, Delete it from the ledger. If you are clearing a duplicate to make a statement balance and want a safety net, Remove it inside [reconciliation review](https://www.counselpro.ai/docs/review-and-fix-a-cycle).

Source: https://www.counselpro.ai/docs/delete-vs-remove-a-transaction