Fix Word Next Change Skipping Comments During Document Review
Question details
The user needs a way to review both tracked revisions and comments sequentially because navigating with the Next Change button bypasses comments.
- Product
- Microsoft Word
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Reviewing a collaborated document that contains both tracked text changes and embedded comments.
- Observed behavior
- The Next Change command successfully navigates through text edits and formatting changes but entirely skips over all comments, requiring manual checking to find them.
Ensure you have the document open with both Track Changes and Comments enabled in the display settings so that all markups are visible on your screen.
Use the Reviewing Pane to View Changes and Comments Together
Since the Next Change button natively ignores comments, using the Reviewing Pane is the best built-in workaround to see all revisions and comments in sequential order.
By design, Microsoft Word separates the navigation of tracked changes (insertions, deletions, and formatting) from comments. The 'Next Change' button only jumps between tracked text edits.
To ensure you do not miss any feedback during a document review, you can open the Reviewing Pane. This pane consolidates all tracked changes and comments into a single, scrollable list, allowing you to review the document chronologically.
Open your document in Microsoft Word and click on the 'Review' tab located in the top ribbon.
In the 'Tracking' group, click the 'Reviewing Pane' button. You can click the dropdown arrow next to it to choose either 'Reviewing Pane Vertical' or 'Reviewing Pane Horizontal' based on your screen preference.
Scroll through the pane that appears. It will list every insertion, deletion, and comment in the exact order they appear in the document, ensuring nothing is skipped.
Seamlessly Review Documents and Comments with WPS Office
If Microsoft Word's revision navigation limitations are disrupting your document review workflow, consider switching to WPS Office. It is a highly compatible, free, and lightweight suite that handles document collaboration, comments, and tracked changes effortlessly.
- 1. Download and Install WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website to download the free installation package and install the software on your computer.
- 2. Open Your Document: Launch WPS Writer and open your .docx file containing the revisions and comments you need to review.
- 3. Access Review Tools: Click on the Review tab at the top to access comprehensive tracking and commenting tools, allowing for a seamless editing experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does the 'Next Change' button skip comments in Word?
Microsoft Word separates comments from tracked changes in its navigation logic. The 'Next Change' command is programmed specifically to jump between text revisions like insertions, deletions, and formatting changes, which is why it bypasses comments entirely.
Is there a specific button to navigate only between comments?
Yes. Instead of using the 'Next Change' button, you can use the 'Next' and 'Previous' buttons specifically located within the 'Comments' group on the Review tab. This allows you to jump directly from one comment to the next without navigating text edits.
How can I print my document showing both tracked changes and comments?
To print the document with all markups visible, go to File > Print. Click on the first dropdown menu under Settings (which usually says 'Print All Pages'), and ensure that the 'Print Markup' option is checked. This will print the document exactly as it appears on your screen, including the comment balloons.
