Error deleting tabs in envelope - docusignapi

Question

I'm having an issue when trying to delete a tab using the REST API which fails at the following URL:
https://demo.docusign.net/restapi/2/accounts/{accountID}/envelopes/{envelopeID}/recipients/1/tabs
DELETE with body {"checkboxTabs":[{"tabId":"168229c3-d717-436f-b6a9-5f014d1817bb"}]} gets:
{
"checkboxTabs": [
{
"selected": "false",
"requireInitialOnSharedChange": "false",
"recipientId": "1",
"tabId": "168229c3-d717-436f-b6a9-5f014d1817bb",
"errorDetails": {
"errorCode": "INVALID_TAB_OPERATION",
"message": "The Tab specified is not valid for the requested operation."
}
}
]
}
It's unclear what the problem is and I cannot find a good example of the correct usage. Is it possible that the tab wasn't found to delete?
UPDATE
I also tried an UPDATE instead of a DELETE and I got the following response body (interestingly the response shows textTabs instead of checkboxTabs):
{
"textTabs": [
{
"requireAll": "false",
"concealValueOnDocument": "false",
"disableAutoSize": "false",
"documentId": "1",
"recipientId": "1",
"tabId": "00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000",
"errorDetails": {
"errorCode": "INVALID_TAB_OPERATION",
"message": "The Tab specified is not valid for the requested operation. The Tab specified is not valid for the requested operation. Recipient not in state that allows correction."
}
}
]
}
However this time the error message also contained "Recipient not in state that allows correction" which means I'm attempting an invalid operation as the recipient had already signed? If someone can clarify that would help my understanding.
It would be very useful if the DELETE method also contained a similar message.

Answer 1

That error should appear if the tabID does not exist. I'd recommend a double check the tabID by performing a GET against the same URL.

Answer 2

I believe you'll get that error if ANY of the tab properties you specify are incorrect. For instance, you might be referring to the correct tabId but if the tab in question is on document 2 (for example) and you are referencing documentId = 1 in your request you'll get that error.
I recommend that right before you send the DELETE request to first do a GET on the tab and then inspect all the properties returned and verify that they all match what you are sending out in your delete request.
UPDATE
I just realized what you're probably running into. The EnvelopeTabs: delete API request you are trying to make says this for the description
"Deletes one or more tabs associated with a recipient in a draft envelope."
I believe this is only for DRAFT envelopes. Once you have sent the envelope you need to do an envelope correction if you want to change aspects about it. Your error message is also referencing this
"Recipient not in state that allows correction"