How to Check Out and Check In Files on MS Teams
If you are working on a project with a team, it is essential to have a system in place for checking out and checking in files to avoid any conflicts or overwriting of data. MS Teams provides an easy way to do this, and in this guide, we will show you how to check out files and check them back in.
Instructions for Checking Out Files
- Open MS Teams and navigate to the channel where the file is located.
- Click on the file you want to check out.
- On the right-hand side of the screen, click on the three dots next to the file name.
- Select "Check out" from the dropdown menu.
- The file will now be locked for editing by anyone else on the team.

Instructions for Checking In Files
- Once you have finished editing the file, navigate back to the channel where the file is located.
- Click on the file you want to check in.
- On the right-hand side of the screen, click on the three dots next to the file name.
- Select "Check in" from the dropdown menu.
- You will be prompted to add comments about the changes you made to the file. This step is optional but recommended.
- Click "Check in" to complete the process.

Tips for Using Check Out/Check In
- Always remember to check out files before making any changes to them to avoid conflicts with other team members.
- If you forget to check out a file before editing it, MS Teams will prompt you to check it out before saving any changes.
- If you no longer need to edit a file, remember to check it back in to allow other team members to access it.
By following these simple steps, you can easily check out and check in files on MS Teams, ensuring that your team's work is organized and collaborative.