A data lock freezes the meter readings for a set of buildings over a reporting period, so the numbers you've reported can't change by accident. Lock a period once you've reported on it, for example, after submitting an annual benchmark or disclosure.
This article will help you:
- Understand what a lock protects
- See which buildings and periods are locked
- Lock a reporting period
- Remove a lock when you need to make a correction
Before you start
Only Portfolio Managers, and Group Managers for their own group, can view, create or remove locks. If Data Locks is greyed out, or you don't see Lock Data or Delete Data Lock, ask your Portfolio Manager.
What a lock does
While a lock is in place:
- Nobody can add, edit or delete a meter reading whose dates overlap the locked period, even partly. A reading also can't be moved into or out of a locked period.
- If some of a meter's readings are locked, its name, type, units, currency, renewable settings, exterior-areas setting and deactivation date can't change. Its activation date can change only if neither the old nor the new date falls in a locked period.
- The building's own details can't be edited, and the building and its spaces can't be deleted.
On a meter's page, locked readings carry a banner that says the period has been locked.
Readings for a locked period that arrive automatically, through Connect, Bill Upload or ENERGY STAR® sync, aren't saved while the lock is in place. Connect keeps them. At its first daily check after the lock is removed, it brings that period up to date with the utility, which can add, change or remove readings. A lock covers the building and its dates, so it also applies to meters added to the building later.
See current locks
In the side navigation, select Data Manager > Data Locks. The page opens as Lock Data and lists each locked building with its city, state, primary type, GFA (sqft), the locked period, who locked it and when.
The Lock Data page listing locked buildings and their periods
To download the list, select Export. It appears once there are locks.
Lock data
1. On Data Locks, select Lock Data. A panel opens on the right.
2. Set Period Start and Period End. The start must be before the end.
3. Under Select Buildings, select the buildings to lock. Use the column filters to find buildings by name, custom ID, city, state, country, type or GFA. The count at the top shows how many you've selected.
4. Select Lock.
5. Check the summary of buildings and period, then select Lock again to confirm.
The Lock Data panel with the period and the building list
You'll see a message confirming how many buildings were locked.
Remove a lock
1. On Data Locks, select the locks to remove.
2. Select Delete Data Lock.
3. Select Confirm. This can't be undone.
Once a lock is removed, readings in that period can be changed again, unless another lock still covers them. To correct a single reading, remove the lock, make the correction, then lock the period again.
Common questions
Can I change a lock's dates? Not directly. Remove the lock and create a new one with the right period.
I can only see some buildings. You can only lock data for the buildings you have access to.
Data Locks is greyed out, or I don't see Lock Data or Delete Data Lock. You aren't a Portfolio or Group Manager. Ask your Portfolio Manager.
Who can lock data? Portfolio Managers, and Group Managers for their own group's buildings while they're working in that group. Members, Reviewers and Site Managers can't view, create or remove locks.
Are the start and end dates included? Yes, both. A reading is locked if any day of it falls inside the period. The start date must be before the end date, so a lock covers at least two days.
Can I lock every building at once? Yes. In the Lock Data panel, select the checkbox at the top of the building list. It selects every building that matches your filters, across all pages.
Can I lock a whole group or fund? Not by group name. Select its buildings in the list yourself, using the filters to narrow it down.
Is there a history of removed locks? No. Removing a lock deletes it, and the list shows only current locks.
Is anyone notified when data is locked? No. You see a confirmation on screen. Let your team know when you lock a period.
Can Measurabl change locked data? Not while the lock is in place. A lock applies to everyone, including Measurabl. To change locked data, remove the lock first.
Do gaps and outliers in a locked period still show? Yes. You can still assign them and dismiss outliers with a reason, but you can't add, correct or delete the readings until the lock is removed. A lock doesn't close any issue.
Does locking change my emissions or reports? No. A lock only stops changes to the data.
What happens to Bulk Import rows in a locked period? The importer flags a row whose dates fall inside a locked period as an error, and a row that partly overlaps one as a warning. If a row that touches a locked period is submitted, that row is rejected and the rest of the import continues. Download the rejected rows from Import History: the Failure Reason column says Reading is within data lock.
Why can't I edit a building in Core while it has a lock? While a building has any data lock, whatever dates it covers, its profile details can't be edited, its spaces can't be deleted, and its certifications and ratings can't be confirmed or rejected. This keeps locked reporting periods consistent. Remove the lock to make changes, then lock the period again.