Automatic lock period handling only updates invoices and reimbursements that are still in Coding Required or Waiting for Approval when Weel checks the lock date. It doesn't touch transactions already Approved, so an approved invoice or reimbursement can still hit a locked period export error into Xero. This article covers why that happens and your two options for resolving it.
How It Works
- Automatic date handling: Weel shifts the date on transactions still in Coding Required or Waiting for Approval during the daily sync or a manual Sync with Xero.
- No retroactive changes: Once a transaction is Approved, Weel won't backdate it, so an already-approved transaction can still hit this export error.
- Manual resync: After unlocking the period in Xero, click manually sync transaction (or Manual Xero Sync) to retry the export right away.
- Xero-side entry: Skip unlocking the period altogether by entering the transaction directly in Xero and reconciling it there instead.
Good to know
- Exact error wording: Hovering the Export error status (or opening the transaction) shows "Accounting period is locked in Xero. Unlock period in Xero and manually sync transaction." If the export had already succeeded once and Xero's status has since changed, it instead reads "Updates to this transaction cannot export into Xero because accounting period is locked in Xero. Unlock period and click manually sync transaction."
- Why an approved transaction can still be stuck: this can happen either because it was approved before you turned automatic lock period handling on, or because it was approved before Weel's next lock-date check ran.
- Need help deciding? Contact our support team at help@letsweel.com if you're not sure which option is best for your business.