Unable to download or edit contract - "Document is being edited" error

Last updated: March 26, 2026

If you're seeing a message that a document is being edited when no one is actively working on it, or if you're unable to download or edit a contract, this is typically caused by an active Microsoft Word editing session that hasn't been properly closed.

Quick Resolution Steps

  1. Close Microsoft Word completely - Ensure the document is fully closed in Microsoft Word on your computer (or the computer of whoever was editing it last). Simply saving the document isn't enough - you need to completely close and quit the Word application.

  2. Restart your computer - For added measure, you can shut down your system entirely to ensure all Word processes are terminated.

  3. Refresh and try again - Go back to the contract page, refresh your browser, and try editing or downloading again.

Why This Happens

When you edit a contract using "Edit → Word for Desktop", SpotDraft maintains an active editing session until Microsoft Word is completely closed. If Word remains open in the background or crashes unexpectedly, the editing session stays active, which prevents other actions on the contract.

The connection between the Word editor and SpotDraft is only fully terminated when the local Word application is completely closed and quit on the user's device.

If the Issue Persists

If you've followed the steps above and are still unable to access the contract, contact SpotDraft support. Our team can end the editing session from the backend and help restore access to your document.

When contacting support, please provide:

  • The contract URL or ID

  • Confirmation that you've closed Word completely and restarted your computer

  • A screenshot of the error message you're seeing