You are here: Help Topics > Engagement Management > File Maintenance > Unlocking a locked file
-- How Do I? --

Unlocking a Locked File

While files are in a locked down state, the locked documents within are read-only, allowing you to open the documents but not make changes. If you are authorized, you can unlock the file and modify the documents. Unlocking a locked file typically occurs only in unforeseen circumstances. While the file is unlocked, all operations can be performed on all documents.

  • If Protection is activated, you require the Engagement right, Lock Down, to perform this operation.
  • Read to the considerations for unlocking a file here
  1. Open the locked file.
  2. On the Engagement ribbon, click Unlock.

    The Lockdown Override dialog box opens unless one of the following applies:

    • Protection is off.
    • Protection is turned on and the file was set to lock down without a password.

    If the dialog box does not open for one of these reasons, skip to Step 4.

  3. Type the password and click OK.

    The File Locked Down dialog box opens.

  4. Type a reason for unlocking the file and click OK.

The client file is now in unlocked lockdown state. The documents retain the locked icon, but you have full access to menu commands. The document remains unlocked until you either close or relock the file at which point the file reverts to lockdown state again.

Note: Invalid sign off indicators are disabled while files are in a locked down state. Indicators will reappear when temporarily unlocked. Documents that were not locked or new unlocked documents added to the locked down file (where sign offs get into a state where the indicators would normally appear) will appear when the file is temporarily unlocked.

Related Topics