🗂️ Overview

In Search Atlas, report layouts (also called templates) created inside Report Builder are permanently deleted the moment you confirm their removal. There is no recycle bin, undo option, or automatic backup for deleted layouts. This article explains what to do if you have accidentally deleted a layout and how to rebuild or restore your work.

⚠️ Why Deleted Layouts Cannot Be Automatically Restored

When a layout is deleted from Report Builder (Left sidebar → Reports), the action is immediate and irreversible at the platform level. This means:

• The layout name, structure, and all saved configuration are removed from your account instantly.
• There is no version history or trash folder for report layouts.
• Other team members sharing the same workspace will also lose access to the deleted layout.
• All versions of the layout, including those you may have edited over time, are also permanently removed.
• Even our engineering team cannot retrieve a deleted layout once it has been removed.

Because of this, we strongly recommend treating shared or frequently used layouts as permanent assets and exercising caution before deleting them.

🔍 Step 1 — Confirm the Layout Is Truly Deleted

Before taking any further action, verify that the layout has been deleted and is not simply hidden or misplaced:

1. Go to Left sidebar → Reports to open the Report Builder projects list (at /report-builder/projects-list), where all your current layouts are displayed.
2. Scroll through your full list of reports and layouts.
3. Use the search bar at the top of the list to search for the layout name (for example, Ryan).
4. Check whether any team member may have renamed or moved the layout.

If the layout does not appear anywhere in the list after these checks, it has been permanently deleted.

🛠️ Step 2 — Recreate the Layout Manually

The fastest way to recover your workflow is to rebuild the layout from scratch inside Report Builder. Follow these steps:

1. Navigate to Left sidebar → Reports.
2. Click New Report (or the equivalent create button) to start a blank layout.
3. Add the same sections, data widgets, and branding that were part of the deleted layout.
4. Give the layout a clear, recognisable name to avoid accidental deletion in the future.
5. Save the layout once you are satisfied with the configuration.

If you or a colleague remembers the structure of the deleted layout — such as the widgets, columns, filters, or data sources used — jot those details down first to make the rebuild faster. This is the quickest path to resuming normal reporting.

💡 Tips to Prevent Accidental Deletion in the Future

• Duplicate layouts before editing. Before making major changes to a layout, create a copy so you always have a fallback version.
• Use descriptive names. Clearly named layouts — for example, including the client name, date, or report type — are easier to identify and less likely to be mistakenly deleted by other team members.
• Review before deleting. Always confirm the layout name and contents before clicking delete, as the action takes effect immediately with no confirmation step to reverse it.
• Restrict access for shared templates. If a layout is used by multiple team members, communicate clearly before deleting it. Consider assigning layout management responsibilities to a designated person to reduce the risk of accidental removal.
• Document your templates externally. For critical report structures, keep a brief written record of the widgets and settings used so rebuilding is straightforward if needed.

🆘 Step 3 — Contact Our Support Team

If you are unable to recreate the layout or believe the deletion was caused by a platform error, our support team may be able to assist with further investigation. Please have the following information ready before reaching out:

• The name of the deleted layout (for example, Ryan).
• The approximate date and time the deletion occurred.
• The email address associated with your Search Atlas account.
• Any details about the layout structure or widgets it contained.

If you need further assistance, open the chat widget in the bottom-right corner of the platform and type human teammate to be connected with a member of our team.