SharePoint Document Issues

How to Stop the SharePoint Document Check-Out Prompt

Steven Parker Oct 22, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user wants to know how to prevent SharePoint from prompting them to check out a macro-enabled document before allowing any edits.

How to Stop the SharePoint Document Check-Out Prompt

Product: SharePoint, Microsoft Excel
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Opening and attempting to edit a macro-enabled Excel document stored in a corporate SharePoint library.
Observed behavior: SharePoint displays a notification requiring the user to check out the document to edit it, preventing immediate direct editing.

Before you start

Verify if you have administrator or site owner permissions for the SharePoint document library, as modifying the global check-out requirement requires elevated privileges.

Solution 1Recommended

Disable Check-Out in SharePoint Library Settings (For Administrators)

If you have administrative access, you can disable the mandatory check-out requirement for the entire document library.

This solution changes the behavior for all users accessing the library. It is the only way to permanently stop the prompt for everyone.

Navigate to Library Settings

Open the SharePoint Document Library where your files are stored. Click the Settings gear icon in the top right corner and select 'Library settings'.

Access Versioning Settings

Click on 'More library settings', and then select 'Versioning settings' under the General Settings column.

Disable the Check-Out Requirement

Scroll down to the 'Require Check Out' section at the bottom of the page. Select 'No' for the option 'Require documents to be checked out before they can be edited?'.

Save Changes

Click 'OK' to save your new settings. Users will no longer be prompted to check out documents.

Disable Check-Out in SharePoint Library Settings (For Administrators)

Permission Restriction: If you are on a restricted work computer and do not see the Library settings option, you lack the required permissions and must contact your IT department.

Solution 2

Work on a Downloaded Local Copy (For Standard Users)

If you cannot change the library settings due to permission restrictions, you can download a local copy of the file to edit without the check-out prompt.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Edit Downloaded Office Documents Seamlessly with WPS Office

If you find yourself frequently downloading SharePoint documents to bypass check-out restrictions on a work computer, WPS Office provides a free, fast, and familiar way to edit them locally. It is a lightweight alternative that perfectly handles heavy macro-enabled files without slowing down your PC.

1. Install WPS Office: Download and install the free WPS Office suite on your local computer.
2. Open Your Local File: Launch WPS Office, click 'Open', and select the macro-enabled document you downloaded from SharePoint.
3. Edit and Save: Make your changes using the familiar spreadsheet interface, save the file locally, and upload it back to SharePoint.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Excel (.xlsx, .xlsm) and Word formatsLightweight installation that runs smoothly on standard work computersFamiliar user interface ensuring a seamless transition and zero learning curveFree to use for all essential document editing needs

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does SharePoint force me to check out a document?

SharePoint administrators often enable mandatory check-out to prevent multiple users from editing a document simultaneously. This ensures that version conflicts are avoided and that one user's changes do not accidentally overwrite another's.

Does the macro-enabled format (.xlsm) trigger the check-out prompt automatically?

No, the check-out prompt is controlled entirely by the SharePoint library's versioning settings. The file format or the presence of macros does not independently trigger the check-out requirement.

Can I disable the check-out prompt for just one specific file?

The 'Require Check Out' setting applies to the entire document library globally. To bypass it for a single file, you must either download the file locally or move it to a different SharePoint library that does not have this restriction enabled.

Document & File Issues