Version History Issues

How to Display Printable Redline Changes and Previous Values in Excel

Elise Williams Sep 27, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user wants to view and print redline tracked changes showing previous values in an Excel spreadsheet, similar to the tracking feature in Microsoft Word.

How to Show Printable Redline Changes and Previous Values in Excel

Product: Excel
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Tracking, reviewing, and printing document revisions and formula modifications.
Observed behavior: Excel does not have a native Word-style printable redline tracking feature for inline highlighting of previous cell or formula values.

Before you start

Before altering your spreadsheet layout to track revisions, save a backup copy of your original workbook so you have a reliable baseline for comparison.

Solution 1Recommended

Create a Comparison Layout with Conditional Formatting

Since Excel lacks Word-style redlines, you can manually set up a comparison column and use conditional formatting to highlight modified cells in red.

This method involves retaining the original data in a separate area of your spreadsheet and using formulas to flag any changes made in the current version.

Insert a comparison column

Add a new column next to the data you want to track. Copy your original baseline values into this column so they remain unchanged.

Set up a comparison formula

In an adjacent blank column, enter a formula such as =A2<>B2 (assuming A is your new value and B is your old value) to identify which cells differ.

Apply conditional formatting

Select the range of your current data. Go to the 'Home' tab on the ribbon, click 'Conditional Formatting', and select 'New Rule'.

Configure the redline format

Choose 'Use a formula to determine which cells to format', enter your comparison formula (e.g., =A2<>B2), and click 'Format' to change the font color or cell fill to red.

Create a Comparison Layout with Conditional Formatting

Printing Your Changes: When it is time to print, make sure your Print Area includes both the current data and the comparison columns so the redline adjustments and previous values are visible on paper.

Solution 2

Use the Show Changes Feature or Create a Manual Log

If you need a detailed history of who changed what and when, utilize Excel's built-in change tracking pane or manually maintain a change log sheet.

Efficient Spreadsheet Management with WPS

Track Changes and Compare Data Easily in WPS Spreadsheet

While standard spreadsheets don't support Word-style inline redlines, WPS Spreadsheet offers powerful conditional formatting, track changes tools, and clear version history management to help you review modified cells with ease.

1. Open your spreadsheet in WPS Office: Launch WPS Spreadsheet and open your workbook to begin tracking your data.
2. Duplicate baseline columns: Copy your original data to adjacent columns to maintain a clear record of previous values.
3. Apply Highlight Rules: Navigate to the 'Home' tab, click 'Conditional Formatting', and use 'Highlight Cells Rules' to automatically color-code altered data.
4. Utilize Track Changes: Go to the 'Review' tab and select 'Track Changes' to visually mark modifications on screen for collaborative reviewing.

Completely free to use with an intuitive, familiar interfaceHighly compatible with Microsoft Excel (.xlsx) formatsRobust conditional formatting for instant visual data comparisonBuilt-in collaborative tools and seamless document sharing

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I print the Track Changes history in Excel?

Excel does not natively support printing the modern 'Show Changes' history pane or the hover-over popups of legacy tracked changes. To print your changes, you must manually extract the change history to a separate sheet or use comparison columns.

Why did Excel remove the old Track Changes feature?

Microsoft largely replaced the legacy 'Track Changes' feature with a modernized 'Show Changes' pane in Microsoft 365. This change relies on OneDrive and SharePoint version history for better real-time collaboration, although it alters how users view old values.

How can I automatically highlight a cell when its value changes?

You can use a VBA (Visual Basic for Applications) script with a 'Worksheet_Change' event. This script can be programmed to automatically change the background color or font color of a cell to red the moment a new value is entered.

How do I compare two Excel sheets side-by-side?

Open your workbook, go to the 'View' tab, and click 'New Window' to open a second instance. Then click 'View Side by Side' to scroll through both versions simultaneously and manually spot the differences.

Document & File Issues