Annotating a PDF in OnBase using the Check Out Feature

The OnBase Unity Client - Document Check Out / In feature can be used to simplify the method used to make revisions on OnBase documents, especially PDFs. 

Checking out a document allows you to make edits or annotations to the document before checking it in as a revision or as a new document.  This also allows edits to be made locally without making the changes available to other users who are logged into OnBase.  Certain file formats, like PDFs, that cannot be edited within the document viewer must be checked out to apply the edits. 

By checking in a document, changes will be saved to OnBase and others will see the changes.  You may save the changes as a revision or as a new document.  

Before this feature can be utilized, the end user must have the following:

  • OnBase Unity Client installed
  • Adobe Professional installed
  • Be a member of an OnBase User Group with permissions to edit the document type
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Checking Out and Checking in a Document

  1. When viewing a document in the Document tab, click the Check out button:
    Screenshot of the Onbase document ribbon menu with the Checkout menu button highlighted
  2. If this is a PDF or Microsoft Office document, Adobe Acrobat Reader or a Microsoft Application (Word, Excel, etc.) will open in a separate window.  You can make any edits or annotations using the file's native application. 
    Screenshot of a document opened in its native app with an annotations pane provided
    Important: Make sure to save and close the file to save the changes in Onbase.
  3. When finished, be sure to check the document back in so that revisions can be viewed by others.
    Screenshot of Onbase check-in screen with options to save as a revision or new document
    • If you check the file in as a revision, you'll be prompted to make a comment.
      Screenshot of the prompt for a comment regarding this document revision in Onbase
    • Otherwise, if you check the file back in as a new document, you'll be prompted to index the file.  Clear the keywords using the clear tool then enter the proper keywords and click Import.
      Screenshot of the document import panel in Onbase with the clear keywords and import buttons highlighted.
  4. The document will reflect the changes in OnBase and track the revisions as depicted below. Note: Edits or annotations will not be listed as Sticky notes.
    Screenshot showing the number of revisions made to a document and the date of the latest revision

Finding All of Your Checked Out Documents

  1. Click on My Checkouts to see a lists of files you have checked out.  
  2. Double-click any item in the list to open in it's native application to make annotations or edits.
    Screenshot of the My Checkouts menu item in the Onbase Home menu ribbon and the corresponding My Checkouts panel
This Content Last Updated:
01/29/2026

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This KB Article References:
This Information is Intended for:
Staff
Estimated Read Time:
1 minutes
This Content Last Updated:
01/29/2026