How to Unlock a Period in Xero
- George Apostolov
How to Unlock a Period in Xero: step-by-step guide
On Xero's main dashboard, go to the top menu bar and click 'Accounting'.
Choose 'Advanced' from the list of options.
After that, click 'Financial Settings' to proceed.
Scroll down to the Lock Dates section, then tap the input field. From there, delete the date indicated.
Once done, click 'Save' to apply the changes.
After completing these steps, the default lock dates will be removed, unlocking your Xero financial reporting period.
Quick answer: To unlock a period in Xero, navigate to Accounting and Advanced from the top menu. Next, select Financial Settings, locate the Lock Dates section, and clear the date from the input field. Finally, click Save to remove the default lock dates and unlock your financial reporting period.
About this Xero tutorial
Remove default lock dates and unlock financial reporting periods in Xero by clearing the lock date field under Financial Settings. This guide shows how to unlock a Period in Xero in 6 steps, starting with "On Xero's main dashboard, go to the top menu bar and click 'Accounting'" and finishing with "After completing these steps, the default lock dates will be removed, unlocking your Xe...". The interactive demo above is a click-through copy of the real Xero interface, so you can rehearse each step before doing it in your own account.
Frequently asked questions
How many steps does it take to unlock a Period in Xero?
6 steps. Each one is listed in order above, and the demo highlights exactly where to click.
Can I try it without changing my own account?
Yes. Clicking through the demo doesn't touch your Xero data or settings. Once you know the flow, repeat it in your own workspace.
This tutorial is filed under Xero. Related guides: How to Unlock Accounts in Xero When the Password is Forgotten, How to Unreconcile a Transaction in Xero and How to Unvoid an Invoice in Xero. Last reviewed 05 Oct 2026.
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