How files are stored and deleted

When to use it

Source/result lifecycle, manual deletion, idle timeout, hard maximum and download grace. The situations below show when this guide can help you choose the right workflow and avoid unnecessary processing.

• You want to end work before the timeout.
• You need to understand why an old result link no longer works.

How it works

This guide divides the topic into three consecutive stages: active work, access closure, background cleanup. Follow them in order to understand the result and the points that require manual review.

1. 01Active workSupported activity extends the session, but never beyond two hours.
2. 02Access closureManual deletion, 15 minutes of inactivity or the hard maximum closes owner access immediately.
3. 03Background cleanupCleanup removes source, results and service storage objects within 15 minutes.

What changes

Before starting, identify which parts of the document will change and which will remain intact. The list below describes changes in the output copy rather than hidden modifications to the source file.

• Manual deletion makes the document inaccessible immediately.
• Download grace only allows an already-authorized download to finish.
• Cleanup records deletion outcome without PDF content in telemetry.

What can be lost

Some operations affect more than the visible page and can change text layers, forms, links or signatures. This list helps you decide whether the separate output copy is suitable for the next stage of your work.

• A deleted document and its results cannot be opened again.
• Unexported editor changes are lost when the session ends.

Limitations

Limitations describe the current implementation boundary and the cases that require additional review. Check them before uploading, especially when a document is complex, protected or contains important structure.

• Physical cleanup is asynchronous and can take up to 15 minutes.
• An expired download URL cannot be restored.
• Backups of operational configuration and metadata do not contain uploaded PDFs or processing results.

Related tools

Related tools let you move directly from the explanation to the appropriate action. Each tool uses its own workflow and shows its specific limits before processing starts.