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Bentley Application

ProjectWise

Use this guide when Bentley ProjectWise will not sign in, says a file is locked by another user, or the ProjectWise integration is missing in MicroStation, AutoCAD, or Office.

Reviewed April 2026

Application Guide

Overview

ProjectWise is the Bentley document-management system used to check files in and out of a controlled data source.

Most ProjectWise tickets are real check-out conflicts, CONNECTION Client sign-in issues, or host-app integration version mismatches.

Plain English

What this app is usually used for

Document and project collaboration platform with data source, saved local data, and client integration dependencies.

It is part of the Bentley family covered in our app help.

Common problems

Common problems

File is locked by another user

You try to check out a document but ProjectWise says it is already checked out.

Likely fix

Open ProjectWise Explorer to see who has the file, ask them to check it back in, or contact IT to release it if that user is offboarded or unreachable.

What to collect

Send the document path, document name, the user shown as holding the lock, and whether that user is still active.

ProjectWise integration is missing in MicroStation, AutoCAD, or Office

Your host app opens but the ProjectWise menu or open-from-ProjectWise option is not there.

Likely fix

Confirm with IT that the matching ProjectWise integration was installed for your host-app year.

What to collect

Send the host app and version, the ProjectWise client version, and a screenshot of the missing integration.

Cannot reach the data source

You sign into CONNECTION Client but ProjectWise Explorer cannot open the expected data source.

Likely fix

Confirm you are on the correct network or VPN, the data source server name is right, and your client version is compatible with the server.

What to collect

Send the data source name, the server, the client version, the exact error, and whether other users can connect.

First things to try

First things to try

Quick checks before you change anything

  • Which ProjectWise data source are you signing into?
  • Is the failure sign-in, opening the data source, check-out, check-in, or a host-app integration?
  • If a file is locked, do you know who has it checked out and whether they are still active at the company?
  • Did the issue start after a ProjectWise upgrade, host-app upgrade, new computer, or password change?

Try these fixes first

  • Check the file's status in ProjectWise Explorer before assuming the lock is wrong.
  • Confirm CONNECTION Client is signed in with the correct Bentley account.
  • If a file is checked out by an inactive user, IT can have a ProjectWise support team release the check-out.

Slow down

Do not do this yet / warnings

Avoid these until support says it is safe

  • Do not clear ProjectWise saved local data or local work areas until checked-out file ownership is confirmed.

What support needs

What details support needs

Send these details

  • A screenshot of the exact ProjectWise message.
  • The Bentley account shown in CONNECTION Client.
  • The data source name and the document or path involved.
  • The ProjectWise client version and the host app and year if relevant.

Licensing & access

Licensing / access notes

Licensing / access checks

  • ProjectWise access depends on your Bentley account being added to the data source by a ProjectWise support team.
  • CONNECTION Client must be signed in with the correct Bentley account before ProjectWise Explorer will work properly.
  • If a host-app integration is missing, the matching ProjectWise integration was likely not installed for that host-app year.

More checks

More setup checks

Install / update basics

  • Use the company-approved ProjectWise Explorer client matching your ProjectWise server year.
  • Sign into CONNECTION Client first with your work Bentley account.
  • Open ProjectWise Explorer and confirm you can connect to the expected data source.

More things to check

  • Check the file status and audit trail in ProjectWise Explorer or the web before reinstalling anything.
  • Confirm CONNECTION Client is signed in with the correct Bentley account before troubleshooting ProjectWise itself.
  • If the file is stuck checked out by an inactive user, use ProjectWise support team to release the check-out rather than fighting the client.
  • Validate data source access, Bentley sign-in, and any integration modules the user's discipline relies on.
  • Confirm local saved local data and work area paths follow the client standard and that the user can open, check out, and check in a real test file.
  • Document any checked-out content or local-only project files before offboarding or computer replacement.