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Locking Content

Locking Content

Locking content ensures that two users cannot edit the same item at the same time. Users lock an item for editing and, once finished editing it, then unlock the item.

The MSU Sitecore installation does not require locking and does not automatically lock items being edited. Users must manually lock items when they begin working on an item.

Locking does not prevent an item from being published. To prevent publishing, set the item’s publishing restrictions in the Content Editor.

Working With the Locking Feature

Locking Workflow

Whenever a user updates content:

  1. Lock the item.
  2. Make changes and publish, as needed.
  3. Unlock the item.

Users can see a list of all their locked items:

  • In Content Editor: From the Review tab of the Navigation Ribbon > My Items
  • In Experience Editor: On Home tab of the Navigation Ribbon in the Edit group > My Items
Note: After making changes to an item, the user must unlock it before the item is again available to other users for editing. Only the user who locked the item and Sitecore administrators can unlock a locked item.

View Items’ Locked Status

Locked items are noted with an icon in the Content Editor Gutter. See Content Editor Overview for instructions on activating the visibility of these icons.

Lock an Item

In Content Editor:

  1. Select an item in the Content Tree.
  2. On Home tab of the Navigation Ribbon, click Edit. A lock will display in the Gutter next to the item.

In Experience Editor:

  1. If not already viewing the page, navigate to it using the breadcrumb links and click Go.
  2. On the Home tab of the Navigation Ribbon in the Edit group, click Lock.

Notes:

  • Locking an item only locks the current version. Other versions remain unlocked.
  • Locking does not prevent the item from being published. Locking only prevents another user from editing the locked item.
  • After editing is complete, be sure to unlock the item.

Unlock an Item

In Content Editor:

  1. Navigate to the item in the Content Tree. 
  2. On the Review tab of the Navigation Ribbon, use the Edit and Check In options.

Alternatively, items can be unlocked from the list of locked items found on the Review tab of the Navigation Ribbon. An item also can be unlocked by clicking the Lock icon in the Gutter for that item.

In Experience Editor:

  1. Navigate to the page.
  2. On Home tab in the Navigation Ribbon in the Edit group, select the item(s) to unlock and click Unlock.


 

Documentation updated: June 17, 2024

XP User Guide