How to Print a Word Document Without Comments (Clean Copy)

Quick answer: In Microsoft Word, press Ctrl + P (or go to File → Print), open the first settings dropdown (often labeled Print All Pages), and clear Print Markup. Check the preview—comments and tracked changes should be gone—then print.

Comments and tracked changes are useful while you’re editing. They’re a problem when they show up on the printed page—or in a PDF you meant to send as the final version.

Start with the Word steps below. That fixes the printout for most people. If you also use WPS, there’s a short alternate path at the end.

What “Print Markup” includes

In Microsoft Word, markup is more than comment balloons. It can include:

• Comments and replies

• Tracked insertions and deletions

• Formatting changes

• Reviewer names and balloons in the margin

Clearing Print Markup usually removes both comments and tracked changes from the printout, so you don’t have to hunt for each setting separately.

Method 1: Clear Print Markup in Word (fastest)

Use this when you only need a clean print job and want to leave the on-screen review view alone.

1. Open the document in Word for Windows (Microsoft 365, Word 2021, or Word 2019).

2. Press Ctrl + P, or select File → Print.

3. Under Settings, click the first dropdown (commonly Print All Pages).

4. Find Print Markup and clear the check mark.

5. Confirm the print preview on the right looks clean—no balloons, no redline text.

6. Choose your printer and select Print.

 

Tip: If Print Markup comes back the next time you print, clear it again before you hit Print. Always glance at the preview.

Method 2: Switch Word to No Markup, then print

Use this if you want the screen view to match the printout, or if Print Markup is hard to find in your Word build.

1. Open the Review tab.

2. In the Tracking group, open the display menu (it may say All Markup or Simple Markup).

3. Select No Markup.

4. Confirm comments and revision marks disappear from the page layout.

5. Press Ctrl + P and print after checking the preview.

No Markup only hides review content. Comments and tracked changes stay in the file until you delete comments or accept/reject changes.

To show them again after printing, return to the same menu and choose Simple Markup or All Markup.

Print to PDF or Save as PDF without comments (Word)

A lot of “print” jobs are really PDF exports. Same idea: turn markup off first.

Option A: Print to PDF

1. Press Ctrl + P.

2. Set the printer to Microsoft Print to PDF (or another PDF printer).

3. Clear Print Markup (or set the Review display to No Markup first).

4. Confirm the preview is clean, then select Print and save the PDF.

Option B: Save as / Export PDF

1. Select File → Save a Copy (or Save As / Export).

2. Choose PDF as the file type.

3. Open PDF options if available and publish the Document, not Document showing markup.

4. Save, then open the PDF and confirm no balloons or reviewer names appear.

 

If the PDF still shows markup, cancel and fix the Review or Print Markup setting before exporting again.

Hide comments vs delete comments

Choose based on what happens next with the file:

• Hide for print/PDF: Clear Print Markup or use No Markup when you still need the review trail in the .docx.

• Permanently remove: Do this before you email or share a “final” Word file with people who shouldn’t see internal feedback.

To delete comments in Word:

1. Go to Review.

2. Select the arrow under Delete.

3. Choose Delete All Comments in Document.

 

To clear tracked changes, accept or reject them (Review → Accept/Reject). For a broader cleanup, use File → Info → Check for Issues → Inspect Document.

Optional: Print only the comments list

Need a review packet instead of a clean copy?

1. Go to File → Print.

2. Open the settings dropdown.

3. Select List of Markup.

4. Print or save to PDF.

Mac and Word for the web

• Word for Mac: Set Review display to No Markup, then print or use the PDF button in the print dialog. Check preview.

• Word for the web: If download options include a PDF with or without comments, pick the clean PDF.

• Older Word labels: Some builds say Final instead of No Markup. Pick the view that shows finished text without balloons.

 

Another option: print a clean copy in WPS Writer

Already fixed it in Microsoft Word? You’re done. If you open the same .docx in WPS Office Writer instead, you can print or export a clean copy there too:

1. Open the file in WPS Writer.

2. Go to Menu → Export to PDF (or Print).

3. Open Advanced Settings and leave Comments unchecked under Content.

4. Check the preview, then export or print.

FAQ

Why does my Word printout still show comments?

Print Markup is probably still enabled, or the Review display is still All Markup / Simple Markup. Clear Print Markup and recheck the print preview.

Does turning off Print Markup delete comments?

No. It only excludes them from that print or PDF job. The comments remain in the Word file.

How do I print a Word document without tracked changes?

Use the same Word steps: clear Print Markup or switch to No Markup. Tracked changes are part of markup.

Will Save as PDF include reviewer names?

It can, if you export “Document showing markup” or print with Print Markup on. Export the Document only, or print with markup cleared, then open the PDF to verify.

How do I make sure someone else cannot see comments?

Hiding isn’t enough. Delete all comments, accept or reject tracked changes, and run Document Inspector before you share the .docx.

Summary

To print a Word document without comments, clear Print Markup under File → Print, or switch the Review display to No Markup and then print. The same settings work for Print to PDF and Save as PDF when you publish the Document instead of Document showing markup. Hiding markup does not delete comments—remove them only when you need a clean Word file to share. If you use WPS Writer, leave Comments unchecked in the PDF export options and check the preview before you send anything out.

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Algirdas Jasaitis