# Why a shift can't be edited or deleted: locked periods

**For:** Manager
**You'll need:** Nothing.

{{ app_name }} blocks edits and deletes on shifts that fall inside a closed company period or are attached to an approved time entry. This protects payroll-relevant history.

## When you'll see the rejection

You try to save or delete a shift and get an error like "This shift is in a locked period and can't be changed".

## What causes a lock

- The shift's date is inside a **closed company period** — see {doc}`/set-up-your-company/company-periods/index`.
- The shift has an **approved time entry** — once a time entry is approved, the underlying shift is frozen.

## How to unlock

You'll need to undo whichever lock applies:

1. **Period lock** — reopen the company period. (Owner / Admin only.)
2. **Approved time entry lock** — unapprove the time entry first.

After the lock is cleared, edit or delete the shift normally.

```{warning}
Reopening a closed period or unapproving a time entry has downstream effects on payroll exports and accruals. Don't unlock unless you understand them.
```

## Related

- {doc}`/set-up-your-company/company-periods/index`
- {doc}`edit-a-shift`
- {doc}`delete-a-shift`