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Requesting a User to Check In Source Control Files

If you attempt to check out a source control file and discover that another user already has that file checked out, you can automatically send a request to that user to check in the file. This is a completely automated process involving instant messaging or email. Not only are the messages sent to the appropriate individuals automatically, but the mechanisms for checking in and checking out the necessary files are built in to those messages. This means that you and the other authors on your team do not need to hunt down the correct files manually.

One way to find out if another user has a file checked out is to attempt to check the file out yourself. A message will let you know who has the file checked out. You can then initiate a request from that dialog, asking the other user to check in the file. See Checking Out Source Control Files.

Another way is to open the File List window pane (View>File List). If you have files checked out, you will see the phrase "Checked Out" in the Status column, with your user name displayed in the User column. If another person has a particular file checked out, you will see that individual's user name in the User column, and the Status column will be blank. If this is the case, you can use the steps below to request that user to check in the file. See Viewing Files That are Checked Out.

How to request a user to check in source control files

Do one of the following, depending on the particular file that you want to work with.
Specific content file:
1. Make sure the Content Explorer is open. By default, the Content Explorer is located on the left side of the interface in an accordion structure with the Project Organizer, unless you have previously moved it and saved the new layout. You may have to click the Content Explorer bar to bring it into view.
2. Select the relevant file.
3. In the Standard toolbar, click the down arrow next to the Source Control button .
  Note: Alternatively, you can right-click on the file or folder and select Source Control from the popup menu.
Specific project file:
1. Make sure the Project Organizer is open. By default, the Project Organizer is located on the left side of the interface in an accordion structure with the Content Explorer, unless you have previously moved it and saved the new layout. You may have to click the Project Organizer bar to bring it into view.
2. Select the relevant file.
3. In the Standard toolbar, click the down arrow next to the Source Control button .
  Note: Alternatively, you can right-click on the file or folder and select Source Control from the popup menu.
Main FLPRJ file:
1. Select Project>Project Properties.
  The Project Properties dialog opens.
2. Select the Source Control tab.
3. In the Project File section, click the down arrow next to the Source Control button .

Click Request Check In.

The Send Request Check-In Message dialog opens. The individual who has the file(s) checked out is automatically selected in the dialog.
Select either Send Instant Message or Send EMail.
(Optional) Enter a message to the other user.

If you leave the Message field blank, Flare sends a default message.
Click Send.

A popup indicates that the instant message or email has been sent to the other user.
Click OK.
If you are working from the Project Properties dialog, click OK.

When the other user receives the instant message, that person can click a button in the message that automatically checks the file in.

When the other user receives the email, it will contain an attachment. When that person opens the attachment, the file is automatically checked in.

Afterwards, you will receive a message indicating that the file has been checked in, and you can click a button in that message to automatically check the file out.

Note: When a project bound to source control is opened, the status of all of the files is initially checked and displayed in the File List window pane. As you work, Flare performs constant background checks to see if any files have been checked out by other users. However, in the Options dialog there is a feature that lets you disable these automatic background checks. See Options Dialog.

Why would you want to disable these background checks? The primary reason is that it may improve your system performance as you work in Flare. The down side is that, while the background check is disabled, you will not know if any files have been checked out by other users.