14.5 Checking Items Out and In

Item checkout provides document control for items that are managed by multiple users. When a user checks an item out, the item is locked and other users cannot overwrite the item. Other users can view the item, but not modify it. With the appropriate privilege, users can copy checked-out items. The copy is automatically checked in.

After the user checks the item in, another user can check the item out and edit it. This prevents users from overwriting each other's changes.

This section contains information on using Oracle Portal's document control feature: item check out and in. It contains the following subsections:

For information on enabling the check-in/out feature in Oracle Portal, see Section 14.4.4, "Enabling Item Check Out".

14.5.1 Checking an Item Out

Use item check-out as a means of preventing other users from overwriting an item with their own versions while you are editing the current version.

Note:

Page group administrators and page designers can check in items that are checked out by other users.

To check an item out:

  1. Log in to Oracle Portal.

  2. Go to the page that contains the item to be checked out.

    For information on locating a page through the Page Groups portlet, see Section 8.1, "Locating Pages in Oracle Portal".

  3. Click the Edit link at the top of the page.

    This opens the page in Edit mode.

  4. Click the Actions icon beside the item to be checked out (Figure 14-23).

    Figure 14-23 The Actions Icon

    Actions icon
  5. Click the Check Out link.

The item is now checked out. Other users cannot edit the item.

While you have an item checked out, you can edit the item by clicking the Edit Item icon next to item. You can also perform many actions on the item, such as hide, move, copy, and expire. Click the Actions icon beside the item to see the list of available actions.

When you have finished working with the item, remember to check it in so it is available to the other users.

Note:

If you copy an item when it is checked out, the new copy is checked in.

14.5.2 Checking an Item In

Checking an item in returns it to general use by users who have access to the item. The item can be overwritten by a more current version. And other users can check the item out. For the most part, only a user who has checked an item out can check it back in. There is an exception, however. Page group administrators and page designers can check in items that are checked out by other users.

To check an item in:

  1. Log in to Oracle Portal.

  2. Go to the page that contains the item to be checked in.

    For information on locating a page through the Page Groups portlet, see Section 8.1, "Locating Pages in Oracle Portal".

  3. Click the Edit link at the top of the page.

    This opens the page in Edit mode.

  4. Click the Actions icon beside the relevant item (Figure 14-24).

    Figure 14-24 The Actions Icon

    Actions icon
  5. Click the Check In link.

    The item is now available for other users to edit.