Check out, check in, or discard changes to files in a SharePoint library (2024)

Some libraries are set up to require checkout of files. If checkout is required, you will be prompted to check out any files that you want to edit. When you are finished with the file, you need to check it back in or discard the checkout.

If checkout isn’t required in the library, you don’t need to check it out as long as you don’t mind letting other people edit at the same time as you.

Tip:If your team plans to use co-authoring, we recommend turning on at least major versioning in the library, just in case someone makes a mistake and uploads a document of the same name in a library where everyone is co-authoring. This way, if you lose changes, you can restore a previous version of the document. For more info, see Enable and configure versioning for a list or library.

1. Go to the document library where your file is saved. If you’re looking at a view of the library on another page, you might have to click the title of the library first. For example, you might have to selectDocuments first to go to the Documents library.

2. Select the fileor filesthat you want to check out.

   

3. Above the Documents list, select the Moremenu ..., andthen selectCheck out.

   

   When the file is checked out, a smallicon

   

   appears to the right of the file name. This tells you, or anyone else, that the file is checked out.

   

   Notes:

   • If you point your mouse at the file name, you can see details about the file, including the name of the person who has it checked out.

   • In the classic experience, Check out ison the Files tab of the ribbon.

A file you check out, and any changes you make to it, won't be available to your colleagues until you check the fileback in to your document library.

If you downloaded your document to work locally, you'll want to upload it before checking it in. To learn how to do this, see Upload files and folders to a library.

If you check out a file and don’t make changes to it, or you make changes that you don’t want to keep, you can simply discard the checkout, rather than saving the file. If your organization tracks versions, a new version is created each time you check a file back into the library. By discarding the checkout, you can avoid making new versions when you haven’t made any changes to the file.

1. Go to the library where your file is saved. (If you’re looking at a view of the library on another page, you mighthave to click the title of the library first. For example, you might have to click Documents first to go to the Documents library.)

2. Select the file, or files, that you want to discard changes for.

3. Above the Documents list, select the Moremenu ..., and then selectDiscard check out.

   

4. SelectYesto finish discarding the check out. The small check-out icon disappearswhen the file is checked back in.

If you have permission, you can check a file back in that was checked out by someone else. Follow the procedure above under the heading "Check in files."

When you check in the file, you'll get a warning dialog box that it's checked out to another person. If you want to override the other person's check-out, selectOK.

If you need to get to a file but it's checked out, you can view which user has it checked out so you can contact them:

1. In your web browser, navigate to the SharePointdocument library where the file is stored.

2. Find your file in the list of files.

3. With your mouse, point at the file name.A small window pops upthat contains details about the file, including who has it checked out.

   

You can check files in one at a time, or in a batch. When you check multiple files in, they will all have the same setting for retaining the check out, or comments. Follow these steps.

1. In the document library, select all the files you want to check in by clickingto the left of each documenticon.

2. Above the Documents list, select the Moremenu ..., and then select Check in.

   

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   Note:In the classic experience, you'll find Check inon the Files tab in the ribbon.

3. In the Commentarea, add a comment that describes the changes you made. This comment will be used on all the files you're checking in.

4. SelectOK. The small check-out icon disappearswhen the file is checked back in.