Checking an object out for editing is an M-Files function that prevents the concurrent editing of an object. A checked out object can be viewed by other users (is read-only while checked out).
When you are opening a document that has not yet been checked out, the following message is displayed:
The check out message.
When you check out a document, a small check mark appears on the document icon to indicate that it has been checked out to you. A red sign indicates that the document has been checked out to someone else, in which case you are only able to open it in the read-only mode.
An object checked out to someone else and an object checked out to you.
Functions without checkout
You can add files to and remove files from a multi-file document without checking it out for editing. You can also rename and replace files without checking them out.