[ARCHIVED] Username in use error but account was deleted

[wcreger]

So I deleted a student who had entered incorrect information in their account and tried to have them create a new account but it tells them the username is already in use (was the same username in the account I deleted)

Tried clearing the cache - restarting etc... but same message. Any ideas?

[kmeeusen · Accepted solution]

Hi  @wcreger  

Yep, and my idea is to contact Canvas support.

User IDs are never truly deleted in Canvas, only archived in that great database in the clouds.

It is always, I repeat always, better to simply edit the user's information.  Even when you want to restrict a user from accessing Canvas  (teachers and admins no longer working for the school, for example), we simply hink (a techie term) their user ID or login credentials by appending some characters at the end.

Support can either reactivate the user so that you can edit it, or permanently delete it. I would advise exercising caution when deleting, because there may be documentation associated with the user that you will want to retain.

Kelley