Collaboration & Edit Mode

GanttForce uses a session lock system to prevent conflicts when multiple people are working in the same workspace. Only one user can be in edit mode at a time.

The Edit Mode button

The Edit Mode button in the header has three states:

StateWhat it means
AvailableNo one is editing — you can enter edit mode
LockedAnother user is currently editing — shows who
ActiveYou are in edit mode — changes are enabled

Entering and exiting edit mode

Click the Edit Mode button to enter. The header turns dark green to confirm you are editing. All controls that require edit mode become active.

To exit, click the button again. Your session lock is released immediately and another user can take over.

What you can do in edit mode

  • Create, edit, and delete projects
  • Resize project bars on the Gantt
  • Edit people, clients, expertise, and project types in the Control Panel
  • Edit capacity and vacation values in the Workforce panel

What happens when someone else is editing

If another user holds the lock, the Edit Mode button shows their name. You can view the Gantt normally but cannot make changes. The lock is released automatically when they exit edit mode or close the browser.

Presence indicator

The eye icon in the header shows how many users are currently viewing the workspace. Hover over it to see who is online. This works for all roles — editors, viewers, and admins.

Force release (Admins only)

If a user's session gets stuck — for example, their browser crashed while they were editing — a Platform Superadmin can force-release the lock from the Platform Dashboard. This unlocks the workspace so editing can resume.

Viewers are always read-only

Viewer accounts cannot enter edit mode at all. The Edit Mode button is not visible to them.