Docs - File Locking

Topics in this Section

• What is File Locking?
• File Locking Status Icons
• Automatic File Locking and Unlocking
• What if Automatic Locking and Unlocking do not work?

What is File Locking?

File locking is a feature provided by Autodesk Docs to prevent multiple processes or users from modifying the same file simultaneously.

• See the Autodesk Docs help page Lock Files for additional information.

Desktop Connector will make an automatic attempt to lock a file upon opening and unlock it when it is closed. When a file is locked, it is temporarily reserved for exclusive use by one process or user, preventing other processes or users from making conflicting changes.

File Locking Status Icons

The Status attribute column will display a lock icon depending on whether you or another member locked the file.

Icon	Label	Description
	Locked by you	You locked the file. Other members can open the file read-only, however they can't modify the contents while it's locked.
	Locked by another member	This file is locked by another project member. You can open the file read-only, however you can't modify its contents while it's locked.

Once the file is closed, the Lock Icon will not display and another team member can now access and modify the file.

Automatic File Locking and Unlocking

When you open a file, it will Automatically Lock to prevent other members from making conflicting modifications to the same file. If a member opens a file that is locked by someone else, Desktop Connector will try to set the local file as read-only to prevent any modifications on a locked file.

• When a file is opened for read (such as Bluebeam Revu, Adobe Acrobat, and PowerPoint), Desktop Connector will not be able to automatically lock the file.

• When a file is opened for write (such as AutoCAD, Civil 3D, Word, and Excel), you will see an automatic lock applied.

• In some programs, files may not be immediately opened for writing. Instead, they are initially opened for reading and then opened again for writing later, such as when the user makes their first edit or saves the file. This sequential opening process can create a time gap between when the user opens or downloads the file and when it becomes locked.

What if Automatic Locking and Unlocking do not work?

• Consider manually locking the file in Autodesk Docs before you edit to avoid conflicts if another member opens and modifies the same file.

• If you continue to edit the file without manually locking the file, you risk losing changes if another member modifies the file.

  • For additional information refer to Resolve File and Folder Conflicts.

• If Desktop Connector cannot lock the file in Autodesk Docs, you may receive the following warning:

  

  Important: You will need to unlock the file manually on the web interface.

Related Concepts:

• AutoCAD files are not automatically locking when opened from Autodesk Docs in Desktop Connector
• Locked File: Proceed with Caution when opening an AutoCAD file saved from Desktop Connector