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Check out, check in, or discard changes to files in a site library
If you want to make changes to a file that resides in a site library, the safest way to do it is to check the file out. That way, you can be sure that no one else can change the file while you are working on it. When you have the file checked out, you have the opportunity to edit it on or offline, and save it—multiple times, if necessary.
When you complete your edits and check the file back into its site library, other people can see your changes and it becomes available to them for check-out, if they have appropriate permissions. And, if you decide not to make or keep any changes in the file, you can simply discard your checkout so that you do not affect version history.
To check out a file from a library:
Important note: If you check out files, any changes you have made to them, will not be available to your colleagues until you check them back into your library.
- Navigate to the library where your file resides.
- Choose one of the following methods of checking out the file:
- Point to the file name, click the drop-down arrow that is next to the file name, and select Check Out.
- Select the check box next to the file name and, on the ribbon, select the Check Out icon.
- A message box opens, advising you that you are about to check out a file. If you want to save it in the folder you have designated for your local drafts, select the Use my local drafts folder check box. Note: If you select two or more files for checkout, you do not have the option to save them to a local drafts folder.
- Decide whether you want to save the file to your local drafts folder. Speed and portability are the advantages of saving the file to a local folder. Greater file protection is the advantage of working online. If you do not need to work offline, you might prefer to work online. If you want to save it to your local drafts folder, select the Use my local drafts folder check box. Otherwise, do not select the check box.
- Click OK.
When the file is checked out, the icon next to the file name is partially covered by a green, downward-pointing arrow. This tells you, or anyone else, that the file is checked out. If you hover over the icon of any checked-out file, a tool tip displays the name of the document and the name of the person who has it checked out.
Your files, and any changes you have made to them, will not be available to your colleagues until you check them back into your library.
To check in a file:
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Navigate to the library where your file resides. Choose one of the following methods for checking your file back in:
- Point to the file that you want to check in, click the drop-down arrow that is next to the file name, and then select Check In.
- Select the check box next to the file icon and then, on the ribbon, click Check In.
- When the Check In message box opens, make the appropriate selection in the Retain Check Out area.
- If you want to do an interim check-in and then continue working on the file, select Yes in the Retain Check Out area.
- If you are finished with your work on the file and do not need to keep it checked out, select No in the Retain Check Out area.
- In the Comments area, add a comment that describes the changes you made. This step is optional but recommended as a best practice. Check in comments are especially helpful when several people work on a file. Moreover, if versions are being tracked in your organization, the comment becomes part of the version history, which may be important to you in the future, if you need to return to an earlier version of the file for any reason.
- Click OK to finish checking in the file or Cancel if you change your mind for some reason. The green arrow disappears from the file icon when the file is checked back in.
To discard a check-out:
- Navigate to the library where your file resides.
- Choose one of the following methods for checking your file back in:
- Point to the file that you want to check in, click the drop-down arrow that is next to the file name, and then select Discard Check Out.
- Select the check box next to the file icon and then, on the ribbon, click Discard Check Out.
- When the Open Document message box announces that you are about to discard the file, click OK to finish checking in the file or Cancel if you change your mind. The green arrow disappears from the file icon when the file is checked back in.
Check out, check in, or undo checkouts for multiple files:
To check out, check in, or undo checkout of several files at the same time:
- Select the check box next to the file icon for each file you want to check in, check out, or discard.
- On the ribbon, select Check Out, Check In, or Discard Check Out, as appropriate.
- Click OK when the message box appears.
Site: http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/sharepoint-server-help/check-out-check-in-or-discard-changes-to-files-in-a-site-library-HA101849698.aspx