FR - lock file so multiple users can not edit same pdf in same time

licenseduser · Post by **licenseduser** » Tue May 16, 2023 11:36 am

Hi,
we have an issue with pdf files on network shares. If one user open a pdf file for editing, other users can open it also in PDF Xchange and edit it. And havoc is created as the last user overwrites everything saved.
In office suites in general a message appears on opening and announce that the file is opened by another user (name also is included, and open read-only option).
This is a very important feature, as we use licensed version for several years, and PDF Xchange is the main pdf editor in our company.

Thank you

Post by **Tracker Supp-Stefan** » Tue May 16, 2023 2:33 pm

Hello licenseduser,

We should actually lock the file when the first user accesses it - so while others will be able to open the same file - it will be read only for them, and if they try to save changes to it - they would be unable to.

Can you please check and ensure that you have the current latest Editor build installed?

Kind regards,
Stefan

licenseduser · Post by **licenseduser** » Thu May 18, 2023 9:20 am

Hi, i installed latest version, 9.5.368.
Behaviour is like this: i open a pdf file, other colleague open the same file, i can not save it as it shows message that is used by another process. If i close the file other user can save the file.
Bad news is that most of colleagues edit in same time and they lose their work, or have to Save as, and replace the file with others' work in it.
So please add this very important feature.
It should let users know someone use the file, best if it shows the name. And option to open readonly.
Maybe a lock file generated will be quick solution, but i am sure Trackersoftware developers know best solution for this.

Thank you

Post by **Tracker Supp-Stefan** » Thu May 18, 2023 1:25 pm

Hello licenseduser,

The file is already opened as "Read Only" and that's why you can not save your changes. However you are right that this only becomes apparent when you try to save changes to the file, and not immediately upon opening the file.
I will pass your suggestion to our devs for future improvements!

Kind regards,
Stefan

licenseduser · Post by **licenseduser** » Thu Oct 05, 2023 6:53 am

Hello,
new version with big update entered in production, but no enhancements in file-locking feature.
Can you resend to developers this feature request please?
Thank you

Thu Oct 05, 2023 10:31 am

Hello licenseduser,

Yes - this has not been implemented yet. I will ask our UI devs to reconsider this request once again!

Kind regards,
Stefan

licenseduser · Post by **licenseduser** » Wed Oct 25, 2023 10:07 am

Hello,
again colleagues complain for lost hours after working on pdfs.
Do you have any feedback from developers?
We bought for all users in company, and use it extensively.
Thanks

Post by **Tracker Supp-Stefan** » Wed Oct 25, 2023 1:35 pm

Hello licenseduser,

We do have a ticket in our system, so that we can show a warning when you open a file that someone else has already locked:
#3798: FR::File open in other instance warning
however this is unfortunately not yet implemented.

Kind regards,
Stefan

ICT_AVE · Post by **ICT_AVE** » Thu Nov 23, 2023 9:37 am

I do not want to hi-jack this issue but we are facing similar problems and it would be cluttering the board if I opened a new issue.

We are also experiencing issues where PDF-Xchange Editor Plus does not lock a file once opened. If another user opens the same file then the first user can't save changes. It is preferred that subsequent users can only open the file read-only.

We desperately (!) need file locking within PDF-Xchange to prevent users creating multiple copies as they only have a "saveas" option.

Thu Nov 23, 2023 10:32 am

Hello ICT_AVE,

Welcome to our Fоrum.

Our developers are working on this.

We are aware of how important this feature is, so will keep you all posted on any progress.

Regards.

ICT_AVE · Post by **ICT_AVE** » Thu Nov 23, 2023 3:18 pm

Thank you! I have taken a subscription on this topic so I won't miss any updates

Thu Nov 23, 2023 3:29 pm

licenseduser · Post by **licenseduser** » Thu Apr 04, 2024 2:22 pm

Hi, did you implemented this feature in latest version, or it will take more time?

Thanks

Post by **TrackerSupp-Daniel** » Thu Apr 04, 2024 4:17 pm

Hello, licenseduser

I am afraid that this is still not present in the software, but I will be following up with the Dev team and our ticket manager to see about increasing this priority on this item substantially.

Kind regards,

licenseduser · Post by **licenseduser** » Fri Jul 05, 2024 11:30 am

Hi, any news about including this feature in recent versions?
Thanks

Post by **TrackerSupp-Daniel** » Fri Jul 05, 2024 5:06 pm

Hello, licenseduser

I am afraid I do not have any new progress updates, but its priority has been increased and developer personally assigned to the ticket, so it should hopefully see some attention when his ongoing tasks are complete.

Kind regards,

Mathew · Post by **Mathew** » Sat Nov 09, 2024 8:40 pm

ICT_AVE wrote: ↑Thu Nov 23, 2023 9:37 am We are also experiencing issues where PDF-Xchange Editor Plus does not lock a file once opened. If another user opens the same file then the first user can't save changes. It is preferred that subsequent users can only open the file read-only.

We desperately (!) need file locking within PDF-Xchange to prevent users creating multiple copies as they only have a "saveas" option.

I get the same problem. I've made a workaround script - see this post: viewtopic.php?t=44459 I don't know how to get PXCE to open the file read only, so it gives a dialog to save a copy if it's in use by someone else.

Post by **TrackerSupp-Daniel** » Tue Nov 12, 2024 9:37 pm

ICT_AVE · Post by **ICT_AVE** » Wed Nov 13, 2024 8:17 am

Mathew wrote: ↑Sat Nov 09, 2024 8:40 pm I get the same problem. I've made a workaround script - see this post: viewtopic.php?t=44459 I don't know how to get PXCE to open the file read only, so it gives a dialog to save a copy if it's in use by someone else.

Thank you for the script.

It is a pitty that we need solutions from (knowledgable

) users to solve this long outstanding issue. It has been raised 1½ years ago and a dev has been assigned to this issue for 4½ months. There really should be some results by now!

Maybe @TrackerSupp-Daniel can get an update from development? An ETA would be welcome.

Mathew · Post by **Mathew** » Wed Nov 13, 2024 3:57 pm

ICT_AVE wrote: ↑Wed Nov 13, 2024 8:17 am It is a pitty that we need solutions from (knowledgable ) users to solve this long outstanding issue. It has been raised 1½ years ago and a dev has been assigned to this issue for 4½ months.

In tracker's defense, changing something as fundamental as how the software interacts with files without breaking something else is a much bigger project than writing a script like I did. One of the reasons I really appreciate PDFX-Change Editor is that its javascript support is robust enough to allow this, plus they extended javascript support to allow it to be integrated with the menu structure so it can act like a built-in part of the software.

A benefit of a script like this is it will work in older versions of PXCE (I tested it in version 9). If you'd be willing to test it and let me know feedback I'd appreciate it.

Post by **TrackerSupp-Daniel** » Wed Nov 13, 2024 11:43 pm

Hello, Mathew

I appreciate the kind words, but this has been going on for quite a while. We do have some even earlier reports of this than just this thread here, and the Dev team agrees this is an important item which we do want to see addressed, but as you said, and as much as I am remiss to admit, such changes are indeed extremely complex, and it is not likely to be anytime particularly "soon".

Kind regards,