Being able to lock fields so that users cannot change their settings is a useful feature for when you are creating a product intended to be used by another user. It means that not only can you create a product for use by others, but you can also ensure that subsequent users of this product cannot change its key characteristics, for example, changing a swaption type from a payer to a receiver.
This thereby ensures the consistency of the product when used by other people.
Within a portfolio, if you have the right permissions you can lock certain fields in each individual instrument using the Locking functionality.
The Locking functionality is activated using the Lock button on the top toolbar.
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When you have activated the Lock functionality, the second to top row of buttons in the Portfolio is disabled. To use these buttons you must turn off the Locking functionality by clicking the Lock button again. |
Which fields can be locked for an instrument depends on the instrument itself.
Once you have locked fields in an instrument, you can then save it as either a template or a structure template (for more information on these portfolio types see What Portfolio Types Are Available?).
When you then subsequently open the template or structure template, all fields that were locked will still be locked. In this situation, users without permission to edit the Locking functionality will not be able to edit locked fields; however, if you do have the right permissions, you will be able to re-activate the Locking feature and change the status of open fields to closed, and vice versa.
To lock fields in a portfolio's instruments:
| 1. | Create a portfolio with the relevant instruments. |
| 2. | On the top toolbar, to activate the Lock functionality click the Lock button. All fields that can be locked are marked with an open padlock icon, as seen in Figure 1. |
| Figure 1: |
| 3. | To lock a specific field, click the open padlock icon. The icon changes to a closed padlock icon, and the field itself is disabled, as seen in Figure 2. |
| Figure 2: | When a Field Is Locked a Padlock Icon Is Displayed |
| 4. | Any fields that are locked when you save the portfolio as a template or a structure template will be locked when the portfolio is next opened. This is true whether you open it yourself or if another user opens it. |
| 5. | Before saving the portfolio, to unlock a locked field, simply click the closed padlock icon. |
| 6. | To turn off the Locking functionality, click the Lock button on the top toolbar again. |
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If you turn off the Locking functionality, any locked fields remain locked. To unlock a locked field, see Step 5. |