Describe the problem you would like to solve
We need a way to bulk delete submissions imported using the Native XML plugin, in instances where a small error in the imported XML file results in errors in all or many of the imported submissions, e.g. missing/incorrect metadata, incorrect remote PDF links. Erroneous imported submissions currently need to be deleted one-by-one, following the steps below, which is rather cumbersome.
- Go to the Archives tab and click on the “View” button of uploaded article
- Click on the “Assign” participants button, choose my name, and click OK
- Go to the Submissions tab, click on “Change decision”, and then the “Decline Submission” button
- Choose “Do not send an email notification” and then click the “Record Editorial Decision” button
- Navigate back to the Submissions pane and open the Archives tab
- Click on the down arrow next to the uploaded article, click on the “Delete” button, and then confirm “Yes” in the popup window.
Repeating this process for 50-100 submissions uploaded at a time, when uploading back-issues for instance, can take a lot of time and effort.
Describe the solution you’d like
It would be great to have a submission bulk delete feature available to assist in such situations. I recognise and acknowledge the risk of such a feature being incorrectly used, such as inadvertently deleting submissions, but having a well-concealed option with sufficient warning, maybe even as an optional plugin, would be very handy indeed.
Who is asking for this feature?
I anticipate this feature being used primarily by Journal Managers who are involved in bulk uploading submissions to their OJS sites for any reason, such as importing back-issues, or importing PDF files of articles that have either not been peer-reviewed or been peer-reviewed outside of OJS, such as conference papers/proceedings managed externally.