How To Track Changes in Word (Online, Mobile, and Desktop)
The ability to track changes in word processing documents was a game-changing innovation. Microsoft Word was at the forefront of that advancement, and users of Word have taken advantage of the feature ever since.
The track changes feature is now considered standard in any word processing app. We’ll show you how to track changes in Microsoft Word’s online, mobile, and desktop apps. You can also track changes in other apps likeGoogle DocsorMicrosoft Excel.
When you track changes in a Word document, you make it easy for someone else (or future you!) to spot suggested changes and decide—change by change—whether to accept a change and make it permanent or reject it.
How To Track Changes in Microsoft Word Online
Anyone canuse Microsoft Word Online for freeby registering for a free Microsoft account. Once you’ve logged in and have started a new Microsoft Word document (or opened an existing one), follow these steps to track changes in Word Online.
First, you need to turn on Track Changes.
You’ll know you’ve done this correctly if you see that the Mode Menu has switched from Editing to Reviewing.
In fact, another way to turn on Track Changes in Microsoft Word Online is to selectReviewingfrom the Mode Menu. If you use this method, note that it will default to tracking just your own changes, not everyone else’s. If you want to turn on Track Changes for everyone who edits the document, follow the steps above and selectFor Everyone.
If Track Changes is turned on, you can review each suggestion in order and accept or reject them one by one.
At some point, you’ll want to turn off Track Changes.
There are two quick ways to turn off Track Changes in Word Online.
Now you are free to edit or view the document without tracking changes.
How To Track Changes in the Microsoft Word Android App
Turning on Track Changes in the Microsoft WordAndroidapp is less straightforward. Open a document and follow these steps.
With Track Changes enabled, any edits you make will be suggestions that you or someone else can accept or reject.
To review, accept, or reject changes in Word’s mobile app, follow these instructions.
To turn off Track Changes in Word’s mobile app, simply tapHomeon the toolbar, selectReview, scroll down, and tapTrack Changesto deselect it and turn the feature off.
How To Track Changes in the Microsoft Word Desktop App
Tracking changes in Word’s desktop application is similar to using Track Changes in Word Online.
Open the document you want to edit, and follow these steps.
Changes will be tracked as long as the Track Changes button on the Review tab is activated.
To review suggested changes, follow these steps.
Microsoft Word for Desktop will let you know once you’re finished reviewing suggested changes.
Explore More Features of Microsoft Word
If you want to learn even more about Microsoft Word’s features, check out our articles onexpanding Word’s functionality with add-ins, how to dictate documents in Word, and how toinsert a signatureinto a Word document. Oruse the search featureto find all our Microsoft Word articles.
Maggie Marystone is a freelance technology writer, human rights worker, and storyteller based in Chicago.Read Maggie’s Full Bio
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