How to archive completed cards on Trello

beginner 8 min read Updated 2026-03-18

Quick Answer

Archive completed Trello cards by clicking on the card, selecting the Archive option from the actions menu, or using the card's three-dot menu. You can also archive multiple cards at once using Trello's bulk actions feature.

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Prerequisites

Trello account with access to a board
Board with existing cards
Basic understanding of Trello interface
Appropriate permissions to edit the board

Step-by-Step Instructions

Navigate to your Trello board

Open Trello in your web browser or mobile app and select the board containing the completed cards you want to archive. Ensure you have the necessary permissions to modify cards on this board.

If you can't see the board, check that you're logged into the correct Trello account and have been invited to the board.

Identify completed cards to archive

Locate the cards you want to archive. These are typically found in your Done or Completed list, but may be in any list depending on your workflow setup.

Consider creating a clear naming convention for completed cards or use labels to easily identify them before archiving.

Archive individual cards

Click on a completed card to open it. In the card details view, look for the Actions section on the right side. Click the Archive button. The card will immediately disappear from the board and be moved to the archived section.

You can also hover over a card and click the pencil icon, then select <strong>Archive</strong> from the quick actions menu.

Use bulk archive for multiple cards

To archive multiple cards at once, click the Show Menu button (three dots) in the top right corner of your board. Select More and then Print and Export. Choose Archive all cards in this list if you want to archive an entire list of completed cards.

This method is most efficient when you have a dedicated 'Done' list that you regularly clear out.

Archive cards from list view

Alternatively, you can archive cards directly from the list view. Hover over any card and click the pencil icon that appears. From the quick actions popup, select Archive to immediately archive the card without opening it.

This method is faster for archiving multiple individual cards spread across different lists.

Verify cards are archived

To confirm your cards have been archived, click the Show Menu button on your board, then select More followed by Archived Items. Here you'll see all archived cards and lists for this board.

Archived cards can be restored at any time by clicking <strong>Send to Board</strong> in the archived items view.

Set up automatic archiving (optional)

For recurring workflows, consider using Trello's Butler automation feature. Go to the board menu, select Butler, and create a rule to automatically archive cards when they're moved to your completed list or when specific conditions are met.

Butler rules can save significant time if you regularly complete and archive cards following the same pattern.

Common Issues & Troubleshooting

Archive button is missing or grayed out

Check that you have editing permissions on the board. Board admins may have restricted card editing for certain members. Contact the board owner to adjust your permissions.

Archived cards are not appearing in archived items

Ensure you're checking the archived items for the correct board. Each board has its own archived items section. Try refreshing the page or logging out and back in if the issue persists.

Bulk archive option is not available

The bulk archive feature may not be available on all Trello plans or may be limited. Try archiving cards individually or upgrade to a plan that includes advanced bulk actions.

Accidentally archived the wrong cards

Go to Board Menu > More > Archived Items, find the incorrectly archived cards, and click Send to Board to restore them to their original location.

Prices mentioned in this guide are pulled from current plan data and may change. Always verify on the official Trello website before purchasing.

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