How to archive an assessment that's no longer in use — and what archiving does (and doesn't) affect.
Archiving moves an assessment out of the active list and into the archived state. Archived assessments aren't deleted — their data stays available for reporting, and they can be restored if needed — but they can't receive new assignments and aren't visible in the active Assessments list.
Archive when an assessment has reached the end of its useful life: a compliance cycle ended, a program shut down, or a duplicate has replaced it. For active programs where you want the assessment temporarily off but recoverable, unpublish from the assessment's edit view instead — that keeps it in the active list but inactive.
How to Archive an Assessment
1. Open the Assessments list. Navigate to Create > Assessments from the navigation panel.
2. Select the assessment. Check the toggle next to the assessment you want to archive.
3. Click Archive. The Archive button appears at the top of the assessment list once an assessment is selected. The assessment moves to the Archived view.
When to Archive vs. Unpublish vs. Keep Active
Archive when: the assessment has fully ended its program life. A compliance cycle that won't run again, a one-time campaign that's complete, a duplicate that's been replaced by a new version.
Unpublish when: you want the assessment temporarily inactive but plan to bring it back. Unpublishing keeps the assessment in the active list, just unavailable for assignment.
Keep active when: the assessment is still being assigned, even if you're not actively pushing it. Active assessments remain in reporting and in admin-facing views.
What Happens When You Archive
Active assignments aren't deleted. Learners who already received the assessment can still complete it. Their attempts and scores remain in reporting.
No new assignments can be made. The archived assessment doesn't appear in the active list, and it can't be selected for new automation assignments, direct assignments, or direct assigns.
Reporting data is preserved. Historical attempts, grades, and completion records remain in your reports for the time periods the assessment was active.
The assessment can be restored. Archived assessments can be moved back to active if you need to use them again — the data stays intact.
Configuration Pitfalls
Archiving an Assessment Mid-Cohort. If learners are partway through an assigned assessment when you archive it, behavior depends on their state — already-assigned learners can usually complete, but new learners in the cohort may not be able to start. Let the cohort finish before archiving.
Confusing Archive With Delete. Archive is reversible and preserves data. Continu doesn't expose a permanent delete for assessments — archiving is the right move when you want something out of the way.
Not Archiving Replaced Versions. When you duplicate an assessment for a new cycle and the original is no longer in use, archive the original to keep the active list clean.
Archiving the Wrong Version. The toggle next to each assessment is small. Confirm the row before clicking Archive — restoring is reversible, but admins can be confused if assessments disappear unexpectedly.
Where This Fits
You're here because you're cleaning up the Assessments list. For replacing an assessment with a new version, see Duplicate An Assessment. For temporarily pausing an active assessment, unpublish from the assessment's edit view rather than archive.
See Also
- Duplicate An Assessment — for creating a replacement before archiving.
- Edit a Text Assessment — for small fixes that don't require archiving.
- Assessment Settings — the settings layer.