> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.gradingpal.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# I cannot edit this assignment

> Why the rubric, questions or settings are greyed out, and whether you can get them back.

export const updated_0 = "19 September 2026"

export const page_0 = "/teachers/fix/cant-edit"

Three different locks look the same. The note beside the greyed-out section tells you which one you have.

## Check these first

1. Read the note. **Editing is locked once grades have been shared with students** is lock one. **Paused while grading is in progress** is lock two. A greyed-out **Type** or **Handout** with everything else live is lock three.
2. If it's lock two, wait for the bar at the top to stop reading **Grading N of M…** and try again.

## The three locks

| What you see                                                                                                         | What it means                                                                                         | What unlocks it                                                                                                       |
| -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| "Editing is locked once grades have been shared with students. Adjust individual submissions from the grading page." | At least one submission has been shared. The rubric, questions, handouts and grading rules are locked | Nothing. This lock is permanent for the assignment. Duplicate it to edit a copy                                       |
| "Paused while grading is in progress — you can edit once it finishes."                                               | The AI is grading right now                                                                           | Wait. It unlocks itself                                                                                               |
| **Type** and **Handout** greyed out, on a quiz, exam, worksheet or problem set                                       | The handout has been read. Its questions are the assignment now                                       | Nothing for those two. Questions, answer keys, rubric wording, grading rules and feedback settings are still editable |
| The type cards greyed out with "already has submissions"                                                             | Any type, once work exists                                                                            | Nothing. Delete the submissions first, or duplicate                                                                   |

## The wrong instinct

Don't delete submissions to unlock an assignment that has shared grades. The lock is on sharing, not on the work, and you'd lose the grades. Duplicate instead.

## What to do when it really is locked

Under **Settings > General**, select **Duplicate**. The rubric, questions and settings carry over; submissions don't. Edit the copy, then collect the next round of work there.

For a single student's grade, open their submission from the Submissions tab. Scores and feedback on a submission that hasn't been shared are still yours to change.

## Still need help?

Open the **Support** tab on the edge of any GradingPal screen, or email [support@gradingpal.com](mailto:support@gradingpal.com). To get a fast answer, include:

* the class name and the assignment name
* roughly when it happened
* what you saw on screen, or the exact message

Students don't have support chat. If you're a student, ask your teacher.

## Related tasks

* [Edit an assignment after setup](/teachers/create/edit-an-assignment)
* [Assignment settings](/teachers/create/assignment-settings)
* [Regrade a submission](/teachers/review/regrade)

<hr />

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