Unable to edit checked out documents in sharepoint even though i have permission as owner

Question

I am an owner of this SharePoint, however when I check out and go to edit some documents, it says that I do not have permission to edit this document and that it is read only.

However this only occurs when i open in the app, i can edit via the web view browser without issue. unfortunately the capability of web view browser is limited.

I cant see what the issue is, i am an owner with full permissions. It also only occurs with say 50% of documents, and there is no reason why i can't edit them.

Answer 1

If the document library has a custom column and you synced the document library or a folder via OneDrive, if open a document in the document library or the folder using desktop app, it will be read-only mode. if stop the sync, you can edit the document.

Answer 2

Thank you! I was already very frustrated about this...

I don't understand how can they not make these programs work seamlessly together...

Answer 3

I don't understand how can they not make these programs work seamlessly together...

Mostly because Msft is just not very good at making things that people actually have to use. Sharepoint was always pretty lousy but when you layer on Teams/groups and their own permission sets, and the flawed onedrive sync client, it becomes almost impossible to figure who has access to what and why. Personally I'd immediately rule out the sync client by disabling it, as it's known to cause all kinds of issues.

Answer 4

Good morning

I have exactly the same problem reported by Mitch S4711

I use Microsoft 365, tried the suggested above and this hasn't fixed the problem.

• C:\users<username>\microsoft\office\16.0\officefilecache - I cannot find that under my username?

can you help please as this issue is really interfering with my productivity at the moment

Many thanks and regards

Luisa

Answer 5

Dear Mitch S4711,

Good day! Thank you for posting to Microsoft Community. We are happy to help you.

Based on your description “Unable to edit checked out documents in SharePoint even though i have permission as owner” You may try if below method

Please make sure that the Office App should be "Microsoft 365" version. The other versions do not support "check out" feature and have to upload file copies.

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/check-out-or-check-in-files-in-a-document-library-acce24cd-ab39-4fcf-9c4d-1ce3050dc602

You can check your Office client version from **"Word" App >> file >>**Accounts.

If you are already using Microsoft 365 version, please check if there is any update from same page "Office update" button.

Please also check if your Office client sign in account is the same one as SharePoint.

At the same time, you can try below steps.

• Sign out of all accounts from Office App.
• Close All Office Apps
• Clear file cache from
• C:\users<username>\microsoft\office\16.0\officefilecache
• Then restart Office App and reactivate it with SharePoint account.

If there is any misunderstanding, please feel free to correct me.

Have a nice day!

Best regards,

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