Generic word for unrelated entities or objects

Question

My web application has various types of objects the user can interact with (projects, items, features, devices, kind-of-device, files, ect). They can delete these objets, however it's a soft delete so it's really just hidden. In the setting page, a checkbox allows them to see deleted objects.

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The problem is that users are confused by the term "object". "Entities" didn't have any success either. I also tried "items" but users then though it was going to show deleted settings in the settings page. Since my application use various disparate kinds of objects, there's no domain-specific overarching word. Any idea?

Answer 1

Don't limit yourself to one word

There are lots of instances where less is more, but in this case, you're partially creating the problem by looking for just one word, especially when you've shown through research that the word doesn't exist.

If this was a button, the argument would be different, but it's an instructional string in a settings panel - you've got a little room to play around.

Choose 2-3 representative words

I'd go with something like:

[] Show deleted projects, devices, files, etc.  

Answer 2

Instead of referring to the objects themselves perhaps you could circumvent the problem by having a "trashcan" or "recycle bin". It is a common concept used on various operating systems and in this way you can give the user control of what they retrieve from the deleted state.

To be fair, if you delete something from an application, the most common method of retrieving it is likely to be an undo function, something akin to pressing ctrl+z or cmd+z, rather than finding this in a settings panel.