Unable to unlock a document that is unlocked.

Question

Level 1

5 points

Unable to unlock a document that is unlocked.

Transferred a Numbers Document from a 2009 MacBook Pro to a 2020 MacBook Air. Tried to edit and save the document. Get error, "Could not be saved. The file is locked". Another error says, "The document could not be autosaved. You don't have permission." How do I get permission? Opened Finder, found file, clicked on Get Info. Menu shows document is unlocked. Also, unlocked the lock symbol in lower right of menu. Where else do I need to go to unlock the document?

MacBook Air 13″, macOS 15.6

Posted on Aug 15, 2025 12:41 PM

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Answer 1

Camelot

Level 9

57,873 points

Aug 15, 2025 12:54 PM in response to kbarrk

How did you transfer the file?

Is the document owned by a different user? That could impact your ability to save it?

Ultimately, the quickest path to resolution may be to just open the document and save a fresh copy (via File -> Duplicate), then ignore/remove the original.

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Answer 2

kbarrk Author

Level 1

5 points

Aug 15, 2025 02:56 PM in response to kbarrk

I believe everything transferred over thru Icloud. Document was owned by myself. When I open Finder/Documents/search for the file, there appears dozens of copies. There should only be one. Tried duplicating one of the files that was open and was unable to. Hate to have to start over and create a new file.

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Answer 3

Camelot

Level 9

57,873 points

Aug 18, 2025 09:49 AM in response to kbarrk

> Hate to have to start over and create a new file.

I never suggested that.

Open the file in Numbers.

Choose File -> Duplicate

This will create a new, fresh copy of the document, hopefully without the locked restriction.

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