0 down vote favorite A user connected to the network by a VPN connection. Then created a new Word document and saved it directly into SharePoint. When they were in the office the file looks to be checked in. If you try to check out the file without opening if first, you get a message that says, "The file [...] is not checked out". Or, if you open the Word file and then try to check it out from within Word it gives you the message saying, "[File] is locked for editing by 'another user'" (It literally says "another user") where it has the Notify/Read Only/Cancel buttons as options. Could it be that when the file was uploaded into SharePoint directly that it was somehow "locked". So when trying to check it out through SharePoint it gives the messages above? I know this sounds strange, but I have some strange users. ANY ideas/help would be greatly appreciated!

Hi , I understand that after a user upload a file to a document library ,he cannot check the file out .It is mainly because: 1. Have you installed Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007 with Service Pack 2 (SP2)? 2. When save a word file into SharePoint library ,it is checked out by default .It means that before you check it in ,no other users can edit the file . 3. After he checks in the file in Document library ,the file looks checked-out in Office Word since he doesn’t close the file .When he choose check in now in word ,it will alert that the file is not checked out . 4. Have a test like this: After he upload the file ,close it and check in the file in user interface .Then try checking the file out .Will it work this time? If you have any more questions ,please feel free to ask. Thanks,Entan Ming

Hi Entan, The main ingredient that isn't addressed in the reply is how it all works through a VPN connection. Word typically gives you the option to check a file in when you are on the network directly, not connected through VPN. When on a VPN connection Word asks you if you want to save, but nothing about checking it in. Even still when switching to a computer directly on the network (no VPN connection) after saving it appears in SP as if it's checked in. When you try to open the file for editing you get the message that it's locked for editing. I found the only way you can get it to work through a VPN connection when you are required to check-in-/out files is by using the "Publish - Document Management Server" option in Word. Then editing the file through SP on a computer directly on the network works. Hope this helps! Thanks.