12 Checking Out and Downloading Documents

This chapter describes how to check out and download one or more documents from Oracle WebCenter Content so they can be revised, as well as downloading copies of documents. It has the following sections:

12.1 About Checking Out and Downloading Documents

You check out a document to lock it so that no other users can revise it. Only one user at a time can check out a file, but multiple users can continue to view the released document even when it is checked out. After checking out a document, you must either check in a new revision or undo the check-out before the document can be revised again. You must have write permission to the document to check it out or check in a revision. To undo a check-out, you must be the person who has the document checked out or have admin permissions to the document.

12.2 Checking Out Documents

You check out a document to lock it while you make changes. To check out a document, select a document then select Check Out from the More menu on either the Find Documents or View Documents page, or select Check Out from the contextual menu on the Find Documents page.

12.2.1 How do I check out and edit a document?

If a document is not checked out and you have an application capable of using this feature, then you can check it out and open it up in the application for editing. The application must be WebDAV-compliant and able to edit the native file format. If you are uncertain if the application you have is WebDAV-compliant, check with your system administrator. For more detailed information about using this feature, see Using Check Out and Open.

To check out and edit a document:

  1. Select Check Out and Edit from the More menu on the View Documents page. The document is checked out and opened in the native application for editing.
  2. Once you have revised the document, close the document and save changes. The new document is automatically checked into Oracle WebCenter Content as a new revision.

12.3 Downloading Documents

You download a document to copy a version to a file system. A copy can be the native file version, a web-viewable rendition, or an annotated version. You need read permission to download a document.

Some reasons you might download a document:

  • To edit the document after you check it out

  • To send a copy to someone else

  • To review a document when not connected to Oracle WebCenter Content, for example while traveling

  • To compare different revisions

For information on downloading annotated documents, see How do I download annotated documents?.

12.3.1 How do I download native files?

To download a copy of a document in its native file format:

  1. Do one of the following:

    • Click Download on the View Documents page.

    • Click Native File on the summary tab of the Properties section of a specified revision on the View Documents page.

    • Select Download from the More menu on a Find Documents page.

    • Click the document size on the Find Documents page when in List view.

  2. When prompted, navigate to where you want the file stored and save the file.

12.3.2 How do I download a web-viewable rendition?

To download a web-viewable rendition of a document:

  1. Right-click Web-Viewable on the summary tab of the Properties section of the View Documents page and select the appropriate option from the contextual menu for saving the file.
  2. When prompted, navigate to where you want the file stored and save the file.

12.4 Checking Out and Downloading Documents from WebCenter Content: Desktop

Oracle WebCenter Content: Desktop provides quick access to Oracle WebCenter through a standard Microsoft Windows files system or through Microsoft Office products such as Outlook and Word. When integrated with Oracle WebCenter Content: Desktop, files can be checked out automatically and downloaded through your desktop application. See How do I integrate Microsoft File Explorer with content servers? and subsequent sections in Using Oracle WebCenter Content: Desktop.

12.5 Checking Out and Downloading Documents from a Mobile Device

Documents can be downloaded from Oracle WebCenter Content using your Apple iPad, iPhone, or Android device for review when you are not online, or for sending to others.