# How to clean up unused and unnecessary fact types? **URL:** \ **Category:** RootsMagic\ **Tags:** question\ **Created:** [January 3, 2026, 1:01am UTC](https://community.rootsmagic.com/t/how-to-clean-up-unused-and-unnecessary-fact-types/15235 "2026-01-03T01:01:37Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![marcelma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/839c29/32.png) [@marcelma](https://community.rootsmagic.com/u/marcelma)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2026, 1:01am UTC](https://community.rootsmagic.com/t/how-to-clean-up-unused-and-unnecessary-fact-types/15235/1 "2026-01-03T01:01:37Z")
I am using RM11. How do I clean up unnecessary and unused fact types? ---
**Author:** ![kbens0n](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/community.rootsmagic.com/kbens0n/32/80_2.png) [@kbens0n](https://community.rootsmagic.com/u/kbens0n)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2026, 1:28am UTC](https://community.rootsmagic.com/t/how-to-clean-up-unused-and-unnecessary-fact-types/15235/2 "2026-01-03T01:28:51Z")
Unused “built-in” Fact Types do not occupy any space in an RM database. They cannot be deleted. ONLY Custom Fact Types (user-created) can be deleted. Tools\>Fact Tools\>Add or modify fact types\>Delete ---
**Author:** ![kevync1985](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/3be4f8/32.png) [@kevync1985](https://community.rootsmagic.com/u/kevync1985)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2026, 3:56pm UTC](https://community.rootsmagic.com/t/how-to-clean-up-unused-and-unnecessary-fact-types/15235/3 "2026-01-03T15:56:32Z")
> [@marcelma](#): > > unnecessary and unused fact types? Standard GEDCOM facts are “Necessary” although a list of “Favorite” Facts would be a welcome enhancement to make the list more use friendly. You could toggle the list with a simple checkbox of Favorites or all ---
**Author:** ![marcelma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/839c29/32.png) [@marcelma](https://community.rootsmagic.com/u/marcelma)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2026, 12:56pm UTC](https://community.rootsmagic.com/t/how-to-clean-up-unused-and-unnecessary-fact-types/15235/4 "2026-01-19T12:56:24Z")
> [@kbens0n](#): > > Tools\>Fact Tools\>Add or modify fact types\>Delete Yes I know, how to delete a single user-defined fact type. What I do not know is whether or not it is in use somewhere. I don’t want to delet a fact type that is in use. ---
**Author:** ![kbens0n](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/community.rootsmagic.com/kbens0n/32/80_2.png) [@kbens0n](https://community.rootsmagic.com/u/kbens0n)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2026, 1:31pm UTC](https://community.rootsmagic.com/t/how-to-clean-up-unused-and-unnecessary-fact-types/15235/5 "2026-01-19T13:31:12Z")
> [@marcelma](#): > > I don’t want to delet a fact type that is in use. In the Fact Types screen, You can determine “in-use” Custom Facts by highlighting each consecutively and clicking the Print button (to the right of Delete). I believe it defaults to generating a list of people with that Fact Type. None listed = unused. ---
**Author:** ![kevinm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/85e7bf/32.png) [@kevinm](https://community.rootsmagic.com/u/kevinm)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2026, 9:17pm UTC](https://community.rootsmagic.com/t/how-to-clean-up-unused-and-unnecessary-fact-types/15235/6 "2026-01-19T21:17:11Z")
> [@marcelma](#): > > What I do not know is whether or not it is in use somewhere. Publish, All Reports, Fact List, List Type = People with a Fact type, Select the desired fact type, and also select the option to Print Private facts. ![Screenshot 2026-01-19 at 1.15.48 PM](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/uploads/rootsmagic/original/2X/1/1c71be442e4c68dc3ca962eeacdf9e78a1c75f6e.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![marcelma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/839c29/32.png) [@marcelma](https://community.rootsmagic.com/u/marcelma)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2026, 10:49pm UTC](https://community.rootsmagic.com/t/how-to-clean-up-unused-and-unnecessary-fact-types/15235/7 "2026-01-20T22:49:59Z")
Thanks for the hint. It’s bit cumbersome, but it works. ---
**Author:** ![nkess](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/b3f665/32.png) [@nkess](https://community.rootsmagic.com/u/nkess)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2026, 11:25pm UTC](https://community.rootsmagic.com/t/how-to-clean-up-unused-and-unnecessary-fact-types/15235/8 "2026-01-20T23:25:52Z")
There is another way to find if a fact has been used anywhere-- go to Search-- left side of screen-- click on Advanced search–then FIND–then the PLUS button–click on EVENT hit OK and then select the Fact you want to check–if it is in use , you will get a list that you can edit from there-- if it is not in use, it will return no info… note you can also make this a saved search and /or turn it into a group if you want ![image](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/uploads/rootsmagic/original/2X/b/bdfe75ffccaf26fc41e85ed0bea19e61d00fe051.png)