How to Change Your Name in Word Document Comments

To change the name shown on Word document comments, update your user name under File → Options → General (or Word → Preferences on Mac), then add new comments. Existing comments keep the original author name—change them only by re-authoring or using document inspection tools in advanced workflows.

Key Takeaways

• New comments use the name from File → Options → General → User name.
• Existing comment author names are stored in the file and do not auto-update.
• On Mac: Word → Preferences → User Information.
• WPS Writer uses its own account/profile name for new comments.

Change the Author Name for New Comments (Windows)

1. Click File → Options.
2. Open the General tab.
3. Update User name and Initials.
4. Click OK—new comments will show the updated name.

Change the Author Name on Mac

1. Open Word → Preferences (or Settings).
2. Go to User Information.
3. Enter the new Name and Initials.

Change Name in WPS Writer Comments

1. Sign in to your WPS account or open application settings.
2. Update the display name in profile or local user settings.
3. New comments in WPS Writer will use the updated name on supported builds.

Files shared with Word users should still open with correct .docx comment metadata.

Can You Rename Existing Comments?

Microsoft Word does not offer a one-click rename for old comment authors. Existing balloons keep the name that was active when each comment was created. Options include deleting and re-adding comments under the new name, or using enterprise document cleanup tools. For most users, updating User name before the next review round is enough.

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New to commenting? Start with how to view comments on a Word document.

FAQs

Will changing my name update old comments?

No. Only new comments use the updated name.

Do initials affect comment display?

Yes—initials appear in some markup views and track-changes labels.

Why does my comment show a different name?

Another Windows user profile, shared computer, or cloud account may have authored the comment.

Can I hide my name on comments?

Use a generic user name in Options before commenting, or share PDFs without comment metadata.

Summary

How to change name in Word document comments: set User name under File → Options → General (or Mac Preferences) before adding new comments. Old comments retain the previous author label.