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Fix Word Comments Missing Between Mac and Windows Users
Question details
Users are unable to see document comments added in Word for Windows when opening the same file on a Mac or Word for the Web.
- Product
- Microsoft Word
- Device & OS
- Windows, Mac
- Scenario
- Collaborating on and reviewing documents across different operating systems and web platforms.
- Observed behavior
- Comments created in the Windows desktop version of Word do not appear for users on Mac or Word for the Web, whereas comments made directly on the web version are visible to everyone.
Ensure that you have a stable internet connection and that all collaborators have saved and closed their local copies of the document to prevent file syncing delays.
Store on Cloud and Enable Modern Comments
Real-time comment synchronization across platforms requires the document to be hosted on Microsoft's cloud services and for Modern Comments to be enabled.
When collaborating between Windows and Mac, local network drives or email attachments often cause version conflicts resulting in missing comments. Using OneDrive or SharePoint ensures a single source of truth for the document.
In Word for Windows, click 'File' > 'Save As' and select your connected OneDrive or SharePoint account. Save the file to the cloud.
When opening the file on Word for the Web or Mac, navigate to the 'Review' tab on the ribbon and click 'Show Comments' to ensure the comments pane is visible.
To ensure Modern Comments are supported, go to 'File' > 'Account' > 'Update Options' > 'Update Now' on Windows, or use Microsoft AutoUpdate on Mac.
Clear Browser Cache for Word on the Web
If comments are missing specifically when using Word for the Web, outdated browser cache or extensions might be blocking the elements from loading.
Collaborate Seamlessly Across Windows and Mac with WPS Office
Tired of missing comments and synchronization bugs between operating systems? WPS Office provides a lightweight, highly compatible alternative to Microsoft Word, ensuring your comments, tracked changes, and formatting stay perfectly intact whether you are working on a PC or a Mac.
- 1. Download and Install WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website and download the correct installer for your Mac or Windows PC.
- 2. Open Your Word Document: Launch WPS Writer and open your existing .docx file. All formatting and comments will be preserved perfectly.
- 3. Review and Collaborate: Navigate to the Review tab to easily add, reply to, or resolve comments without worrying about cross-platform visibility bugs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do some comments show up but others don't in my Word document?
This typically occurs when collaborators are using different versions of Word (e.g., one using Modern Comments and another using older legacy comments), or if the document hasn't fully synchronized with OneDrive or SharePoint.
How do I turn on Modern Comments in Word for Windows?
Go to File > Options > General, and locate the 'Enable modern comments' checkbox. Ensure it is checked, click OK, and then restart Microsoft Word for the changes to take effect.
Can I recover Word comments that haven't synced to my Mac?
If comments haven't synced across platforms, ask the original author on Windows to open their local copy, ensure they are connected to the internet, and manually force a sync by clicking the Save icon in the top left corner.
Do @mentions work in all versions of Word?
No, @mentions require Modern Comments, which are primarily supported in Microsoft 365, Word 2021, and Word for the Web. Users on older standalone versions might see the text but will not receive automated email notifications.
