Tracking changes in Microsoft Word is now considered standard. We’ll show you how to do it in the online, mobile, and desktop apps. You can also track changes in other apps like Google Docs or Microsoft Excel. ..
Word’s “track changes” feature lets you see what changes a document has made since you last edited it. You can decide whether to accept or reject any changes, and then make the permanent change.
How To Track Changes in Microsoft Word Online
To track changes in a Microsoft Word Online document, follow these steps:
- Log in to your Microsoft account and start a new document.
- In the left pane, click on the three lines of text that represent your document’s content (the headings, the table of contents, and the body).
- On the right pane, click on the three lines of text that represent your document’s changes (the changes that have been made since you last logged in).
Turn On Track Changes in Word Online
Second, you need to make sure that your changes are reflected in the system. Third, you need to track the progress of your changes.
If you’ve edited a document and then decided you want to review it instead, the Mode Menu will change from Editing to Reviewing. ..
To turn on Track Changes in Microsoft Word Online, you can either select Reviewing from the Mode Menu or click on the Track Changes button located in the toolbar. If you want to track changes for everyone who edits the document, follow the steps above and select For Everyone. ..
Review, Accept, or Reject Changes in Word Online
If Track Changes is turned on, you can review each suggestion in order and accept or reject them one by one.
When you’re done working on a document, it’s a good idea to turn off Track Changes so that others can’t see your changes. ..
Turn Off Track Changes in Word Online
- Click the “Track Changes” button on the Home tab of the ribbon and select “Disable Track Changes.”
- Click the “Track Changes” button on the Review tab of the ribbon and select “Disable Track Changes.” ..
In the Mode Menu, choose Editing if you want to continue editing the document and Viewing if you want to view the document but make no changes.
If you want to turn off Track Changes for just yourself, select the Track Changes button on the Review tab and choose Off. ..
After editing or viewing the document, you are free to make changes.
How To Track Changes in the Microsoft Word Android App
- Open the Microsoft Word Android app and sign in with your account.
- On the left side of the app, click on the three lines in the top left corner of the screen. This will take you to a menu where you can choose to open a new document or save a current document.
- If you’re opening a new document, select “New Document.” If you’re saving a document, select “Save As.”
- When you’ve chosen one of these options, click on “Create.”
With Track Changes enabled, any changes you make will be suggestions that you or someone else can accept or reject. If you accept them, they will be added to your document and the changes will be live. If you reject them, they will be removed from your document and the changes will not be live.
Review, Accept, or Reject Changes in Word’s Mobile App
To review, accept, or reject changes in Word’s mobile app, follow these instructions.
- Follow the steps below to review and accept changes to the app: a. Open the app and sign in b. Click on the three lines in the top left corner of the screen (the “Review” button) c. Click on “Accept Changes” d. Click on “Save Changes”
Turn Off Track Changes in Word Mobile App
To turn off Track Changes in Word’s mobile app, simply tap Home on the toolbar, select Review, scroll down, and tap Track Changes to deselect it and turn the feature off.
How To Track Changes in the Microsoft Word Desktop App
Word’s desktop application tracks changes in the application’s settings, including the location of files and folders, as well as the changes made to them. This makes it possible to track changes in the application even if you are not connected to the internet.
Turn On Track Changes in Word’s Desktop App
- Open the document you want to edit.
- Choose a text editor or word processor.
- Follow these steps:
- Change the text of the document to match your needs.
The Review tab on the website’s main page will track changes as long as the Track Changes button is activated.
Review, Accept, or Reject Changes in Word for Desktop
- Identify the problem.
- Identify the proposed solution.
- Evaluate the proposed solution.
- Choose a solution based on the problem and the evaluation. ..
Microsoft Word for Desktop will let you know when you’re finished reviewing suggested changes.
Explore More Features of Microsoft Word
If you want to learn more about Microsoft Word, we have articles on expanding Word’s functionality with add-ins, how to dictate documents in Word, and how to insert a signature into a Word document. Or use the search feature to find all our Microsoft Word articles.