# How to Lock Periods in Xero

> To lock periods in Xero, navigate to Accounting on the dashboard, select Advanced, and open Financial Settings. Scroll to the Lock Dates section, set your preferred period using the calendar drop-down menu, and click Save to apply the changes.

Canonical: https://livedemo.ai/tutorials/how-to-lock-periods-in-xero/
Apps: Xero
Updated: 2026-10-05
Interactive demo: https://story-api.livedemo.ai/workspaces/62255d3d3304f17b8f5e2d03/stories/692a485aab56e05a00ff3291/preview?step=1

## Steps

1. On Xero's main dashboard, go to the top menu bar and click 'Accounting'.
2. Choose 'Advanced' from the list of options.
3. After that, find and click 'Financial Settings'.
4. Scroll down to the Lock Dates section, then set your preferred period. Simply click the drop-down menu and pick your a date from the calendar.
5. Once done, click 'Save' to apply the changes.
6. After completing these steps, the financial reporting period of your Xero organization will be locked based on your input.