> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://learn.withessential.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://learn.withessential.com/customers-and-work/customers/making-a-customer-active-or-inactive.md).

# Making a customer active or inactive

A customer's status appears as a pill near the top of the customer page that reads Active or Inactive. To change it, click Edit on the customer page to open the Edit Customer window, choose Active customer or Inactive customer under Status, then click Save.

Marking a customer active or inactive doesn't delete them or their history; it simply reflects whether you're currently doing business with them. One thing to know before deactivating: if you switch an active customer to inactive while they still have running subscriptions, the Edit Customer window shows a warning that reads The following subscriptions will be canceled when this customer is deactivated, along with a list of the affected subscriptions so you can review exactly what's involved.

Saving the change cancels those subscriptions and also marks the customer's properties inactive. Already-completed and draft subscriptions aren't listed, because they aren't affected. After saving, if any subscription couldn't be canceled, you'll see a message telling you how many failed so you can follow up.

Since deactivating ends active billing arrangements, double-check the list before saving. You can reactivate a customer later by opening Edit Customer again and setting the status back to Active, but previously canceled subscriptions aren't automatically restored.

> **Where to find it:** Customer page, Edit Customer modal, Status field

## Related guides

* [Create a customer](/customers-and-work/customers/create-a-customer.md)
* [Merge or split customer accounts](/customers-and-work/customers/merge-or-split-customer-accounts.md)
* [Saving a customer's payment methods](/customers-and-work/customers/saving-a-customers-payment-methods.md)
* [See and browse all your customers](/customers-and-work/customers/see-and-browse-all-your-customers.md)
* [Set customer billing (payment terms, tax exempt, autopay)](/customers-and-work/customers/set-a-customers-billing-profile-payment-terms-tax-exempt-autopay.md)


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