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

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.

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 select Documents first to go to the Documents library.

2. Select the file or files that you want to check out.
   
   

3. Above the Documents list, select the More menu ..., and then select Check out.
   
   
   When the file is checked out, a small icon  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 is on 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 file back 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 might have 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 More menu ..., and then select Discard check out.
   
   

4. Select Yes to finish discarding the check out. The small check-out icon disappears when 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, select OK.

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 SharePoint document 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 up that 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 clicking to the left of each document icon.

2. Above the Documents list, select the More menu ..., and then select Check in.
   
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   Note: In the classic experience, you'll find Check in on the Files tab in the ribbon.

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

4. Select OK. The small check-out icon disappears when the file is checked back in.