How to relinquish Revit Worksets when user is not available

Issue:

An error stating that a user has not relinquished their work-sets has popped up and that user is not available to fix it. Or it could be that the user is no longer with the company, but the project is still ongoing.

Causes:

1. The user has borrowed elements and not relinquished ownership.
2. The user is no longer with the company or away on vacation and unavailable to relinquish.
3. Username has changed due to email change.

Solution:

Cloud based work-shared model in Revit 2020 thru 2022: (Proceed with caution on this solution. It could cause issues if everyone is not out of the model)

1. Click the Collaborate tab > Manage Cloud Models button.
2. Select the model in Autodesk Docs
3. Select the Actions button

4. Select Relinquish and select the user who needs to relinquish.

5. This will trigger a forced relinquish.

Cloud based work-shared model in Revit 2023 thru 2024: (Proceed with caution on this solution. It could cause issues if everyone is not out of the model)

1. Click the "Ellipsis" button to the right of the Revit model on the home screen.
2. Select Relinquish and select the user who needs to relinquish.

3. Select Relinquish.

4. Select Continue to finalize the relinquish the objects/work set(s) from the user.

The user should see the image above.

Non-Cloud based work-sharing models

This process is not as easy as a cloud-based model. There is however a workaround, and it is as follows:

1. Have everyone synchronize their local files
2. Have everyone except for one person close the file
3. Save As a new central model OR overwrite the existing model.
4. Have the users open the new Central model and create new local models.

About the Author

Sr. Support Specialist<br><br>Paul is responsible for client technical support as well as the set-up and configuring of plotters; support and service calls; and the installation, demonstration, and education of clients in AutoCAD, AutoCAD Architecture, AutoCAD MEP, AutoCAD P&ID, Advance Steel, Navisworks, Raster Design, Revit Architecture, Revit MEP, Revit Structure and 3D Studio MAX. He draws upon his years of experience as a technical engineer to assist customers in the creation and implementation of standards, the set-up of plotter and pen styles and the creation of custom blocks.

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