How can I find out which pages in Webflow unused assets belong to after deleting them?
TL;DR
- Webflow doesn't track deleted asset usage, so inspect and document usage (via the Asset panel) before deletion.
- Use site backups to recover old versions and manually check asset locations, and maintain a manual log to track future asset use.
If you've already deleted assets in Webflow and are trying to figure out what pages they were used on, unfortunately there's no built-in Webflow feature to retroactively trace this information. However, here’s how you can approach it moving forward.
1. Understand Webflow’s Asset Manager Behavior
- When assets are no longer linked or referenced anywhere in your site (pages, CMS, Symbols), they will appear as unused in the Asset Manager.
- Once an asset is deleted, Webflow does not retain any history linking it to where it was previously used.
2. Use the “Asset Usage” Method Before Deleting
- Hover over an asset in the Asset panel. If it is used, Webflow will show a popover saying “Used x time(s)”.
- Click the dropdown arrow on the asset to view where it’s used (e.g., on a specific page or inside a CMS item).
- Document this information manually before deletion if you think you might need to track it later.
3. Recover Deleted Files (If Cloud Backup or Versioning Exists)
- If you’re using site backups (via Project Settings > Backups) or have exported site versions:
- Open an earlier backup and manually inspect where the asset was used.
- Re-upload the asset if needed and revisit all possible pages, Symbols, or CMS items.
4. Use Webflow’s Page Search (Limited but Helpful)
- Webflow doesn’t support a full “find asset usage” tool, but you can:
- Use the main Webflow Designer and visually scan pages (especially those using Symbols or CMS collections).
- Use the CMS search feature to look for fields that might have referenced images, audio, or video files.
5. Use a Manual Mapping Workflow (For Future Prevention)
- Create a shared doc or Notion table logging each asset name, upload date, and where it's used.
- This is especially useful for projects with many images or CMS-driven content.
Summary
Once deleted, Webflow does not provide a way to trace an asset’s original usage. To avoid this in the future, inspect usage before deleting and consider using backups or external logs to monitor where assets are deployed.