By default, no — when a record enters an approval process, Salesforce locks it. Normal users cannot edit a locked record. But the rules around who can edit it are nuanced, and that’s what interviewers really want to test.
Who can edit a record while it’s in approval
| User type | Can edit? |
|---|---|
| Record owner / regular user | No — locked |
| Current approver | Yes — they need to be able to edit to make notes or fix small issues |
| System Administrator | Yes (always, via Modify All Data) |
| User with “Modify All Data” permission | Yes |
| User with “Modify All” on the specific object | Yes |
| Higher-up in the role hierarchy (sometimes) | Yes, with the right setting |
The setting that controls approver edits
In the approval process settings → Initial Submission Actions → checkbox:
Record Editability Properties
Two options:
| Option | Effect |
|---|---|
| Administrators ONLY can edit records during the approval process | Approvers cannot edit; only admins (Modify All Data) |
| Administrators OR the currently assigned approver can edit records during the approval process | Approvers can edit while the record sits in their queue |
The second option is the more common production choice.
How the lock works
The lock is a metadata-level lock — not a record-level sharing rule. It overrides whatever sharing the user has. Even the record owner cannot edit during approval if they’re not the current approver and don’t have Modify All.
Programmatic implications
- An Apex trigger running in user context will throw
INSUFFICIENT_ACCESS_OR_READONLYwhen trying to update a locked record (unless the user has Modify All) - A trigger running as the integration user with Modify All can still update — useful for system-driven processes
- The
Approval.lock()andApproval.unlock()Apex methods can lock/unlock records programmatically outside an approval process — used by complex orchestrations
How to detect a locked record
Boolean isLocked = Approval.isLocked(recordId);Or in SOQL, check IsLocked on the record (available on most objects).
What interviewers want
- The default “no — record is locked”
- The two settings: admin-only vs admin + approver
- That System Administrators / Modify All Data always bypass the lock
Verified against: Salesforce Help — Record Locking. Last reviewed 2026-05-17 for Spring ‘26 release.