SharePoint Document Issues

How to Remove the Check-Out Option from SharePoint Libraries

Rana Garcia Oct 10, 2026 870 views

Question details

The user wants to hide or disable the manual Check Out command for specific SharePoint document libraries where checking out files is not required.

How to Remove the Check-Out Option from Selected SharePoint Libraries

Product: Microsoft SharePoint
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Managing document libraries in SharePoint to streamline collaboration and prevent users from unnecessarily checking out and locking files.
Observed behavior: SharePoint allows users to manually check out files even when the library does not strictly require it, and provides no out-of-the-box setting to hide the Check Out command.

Before you start

Verify whether your organization's SharePoint environment allows custom scripting or CSS injection, as modern SharePoint pages restrict custom code by default. If custom development is not an option, assess if direct user training might be a faster resolution.

Solution 1Recommended

Address the Issue via User Training and Policy

Since native removal is not supported and CSS injections require high effort, educating users is often the most practical and stable workaround.

Implementing custom CSS in modern SharePoint can be complex and may break during future Microsoft updates. A non-technical approach focusing on user behavior is often more sustainable.

Identify frequent check-out users

Monitor the document library to see which users are frequently checking out files unnecessarily. You can add the 'Checked Out To' column in the library view.

Communicate the library policy

Speak directly with these users to explain that manual check-out is not required for this specific library and that it prevents others from co-authoring.

Address the Issue via User Training and Policy

Low Effort Alternative: This avoids the complexity and maintenance overhead of using custom CSS or SharePoint Framework (SPFx) extensions.

Solution 2

Hide the Option Using Custom CSS (Advanced)

For environments that absolutely must hide the button, custom CSS can be injected via SharePoint Framework (SPFx).

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Simplify Team Collaboration with WPS Office

If restrictive SharePoint permissions and file check-out locks are slowing down your team's productivity, consider using WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, highly compatible alternative for document creation and sharing without the hassle of restrictive check-out requirements.

1. Download the software: Visit the official WPS website and download the free installer for your operating system.
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3. Collaborate seamlessly: Open your Microsoft Office formats directly in WPS Office and enjoy smooth, restriction-free document editing.

Seamless real-time collaboration without complex file check-out locksHighly compatible with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint formats (.docx, .xlsx, .pptx)Free, lightweight, and easy to deploy across your entire organizationFamiliar user interface reduces the need for additional team training

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why doesn't SharePoint have a native toggle to hide the Check Out button?

SharePoint's default interface retains the Check Out button to allow users the option to lock a document for exclusive editing, ensuring version control even if the library doesn't strictly mandate it.

Can I disable the 'Require Check Out' feature entirely?

Yes, you can navigate to Library Settings > Versioning Settings and set 'Require documents to be checked out before they can be edited' to 'No'. However, the manual Check Out button will remain visible to users.

Will traditional custom CSS web parts work on modern SharePoint pages?

No, modern SharePoint pages do not support the classic Script Editor web part out-of-the-box for security reasons. You will need to use SharePoint Framework (SPFx) extensions to inject custom CSS safely.

How do I find out who has a document checked out in a library?

In the SharePoint document library, look for a small green arrow on the document icon. You can also modify your current library view to include the 'Checked Out To' column to easily see who has locked specific files.

Document & File Issues