# I can't edit a sticky note on the canvas

> A note locks while its editor is open, for everyone in the file. Close the editor, or click the lock icon to clear a lock left behind.

## Goal

Unlock a note so you can type on it, resize it and use its toolbar again.

## Before you start

- A Notely Widget note that shows a lock icon in its header or the button Editor open in its footer.

## Steps

1. **Recognise the lock** While an editor has the note open, the card shows a lock icon, its footer button reads Editor open, the toolbar above it is empty, and hovering the text says "Close the note editor to edit text on the canvas."
2. **Close the editor** If the Edit Note window is open on your screen, close it. Opening All Notes or switching the editor to another note releases the lock too.
3. **Ask who has it open** The lock is shared with everyone in the file. If you have no editor open, a teammate may be editing the note right now.
4. **Clear a lock left behind** Click the lock icon. After about two seconds Notely tells you what it found: "Editor is active. Close it to unlock canvas controls.", "Stale lock cleared. Canvas controls are available." or "Could not recover this lock. Please try again."

## Tips

- The lock coordinates editing between people; it does not protect a note from being moved or deleted.

## Result

The note is unlocked and you can edit it on the canvas again.

## If something goes wrong

- **"This editor no longer owns the note. Close it before editing on the canvas."** -> Someone else opened the note in their editor, so your window stopped saving. Close it and open the note again when they are done.
- **"Close editor to edit on canvas."** -> You selected a locked note while your editor was open. Edit it in the editor, or close the editor first.

## Common questions

### Why does a note lock at all?

So two edits do not overwrite each other: while the editor writes to a note, typing on the card is paused.

### Does copying a locked note copy the lock?

No. A copy starts unlocked.

## Related guides

- [Add lists, quotes, links and images to a sticky note](https://raiken.io/kb/notely-widget/notely-widget-format-note): Open the note's editor to write bullet and numbered lists, add quotes with attribution, link chips and up to six pictures on the card.
- [Add a sticky note in Figma or FigJam and change its color, tag and size](https://raiken.io/kb/notely-widget/notely-widget-add-note): Place the Notely widget, type a title and text right on the card, then use the toolbar above it for color, size and collapsing.

---

Source: https://raiken.io/kb/notely-widget/notely-widget-note-locked (Notely Sticky Widget help centre). Reviewed: 2026-10-30.