A method of handling documents which can be imaged and erased comprises entry of a scheduled time which a device such as a multipurpose imager and eraser has a low probability of being used. At the scheduled time, erasure of transient documents to be erased is initiated. A transient document to be erased is transported from a first transient document storage area to an erasure area where it is erased, then transported to a second, erased transient document storage area. Upon receipt of a user interrupt during the scheduled erasure, any partially erased transient document is returned to the first transient document storage area for later erasure. The method thus allows for more efficient use of equipment resources, for example in an office environment.