Unlocking forms

---

When you call up a previously saved data-entry form, it starts out "locked" in Read Only mode. This allows more than one person to access a record at the same time, and also prevents changes to the record. Even in a single-user environment, it is important to load records by default in Read Only mode because the typical record should not be changed after it has been saved. This is crucial for data integrity in any long-term clinical study.

To make changes to a form and its underlying database records, you must unlock the form (switching to Read Write mode). The "locked" or "unlocked" status of a form is displayed in the Lock/Unlock icon. The icon, located at the top of the form, has three modes:

Black, closed lock: The form is locked, but can be unlocked by clicking the icon.
Black, open lock: The form is unlocked.
Red, closed lock: The form is locked, and you cannot unlock it.

If you try to unlock a form and another person has already unlocked the form, you'll see an alert dialog but will be able to continue to look at the form in locked mode.

The administrator can always "unlock" a record and can grant other users this privilege (see Database Access).