It looks as though my transparency object is locked because I am trying to edit a bitmap file and I don't get the checkered background behind the object. Can someone tell me how I fix that please? Thanak you.
You have posted in CorelDRAWX6 Forum. I hope you are having this issue in PhotoPaint (PP).
It sounds like you are trying to edit a non transperant image in PP. Try creating object from background. Objects > Create > From Background.
You can also check the photopaint transparency grid has two colours in tools > options > display. If you do not see the chequerboard there, you will not see it behind your image even if it has transparent areas.