I spotted new functionality when testing the delete account feature #1489 I'm not sure we have a ticket for this so raising it here as it needs explanation and testing.

Merge accounts allows you to take duplicate accounts and make them one. It seems you need to search for the primary user via the admin interface 'users' table and click to edit their profile.

As an aside, I think we need to change the table actions as the 'edit' button is actually editing privileges. to edit the user you need to click on the user name link. Perhaps we could have two actions "edit user" and "assign permissions" Thoughts @mariapraetzellis @magdalenadrafiova

Once you are editing the user, search for the duplicate account under the 'merge' box and click to merge. This copies plans over to the primary account. I tested this and my plans copied and I could no longer login with the old merged account. The user was no longer visible in the admin search table either.

A few questions on other implications @johnpinto1 @xsrust :

• What happens to any conflicting metadata e.g. PI name, ORCID or Shibboleth details. Does it keep the primary account values and only merge any empty field. Or no actions on metadata?
• What happens to any shared plans. Do users who shared plans with a merged account now see the new account affiliation. They should. I don't see any issues here as it will only be used to handle duplicates.
• Is the merged user removed from the stats?
• Who has access to this - admins or just super admins