Document Editing Problems

How to Edit Comments in Word After the Modern Comments Update

Maira Mehtab Oct 22, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user needs to find a way to edit, delete, or manage document comments after a recent Microsoft 365 update removed the standard editing icons.

How to Edit Comments in Microsoft Word After the Modern Comments Update

Product: Microsoft Word
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Modifying or removing existing comments during the document review process.
Observed behavior: The pencil icon and three-dot menu on comment bubbles no longer appear in the document margin, making it confusing to edit or delete existing comments.

Before you start

Ensure you have the document open in Microsoft Word and that the 'Show Comments' feature is enabled in the Review tab so you can see all current markups.

Solution 1Recommended

Use the Reviewing Pane to Edit Comments

Access your comments through the built-in Reviewing Pane to bypass the new modern comment bubbles and restore standard editing controls.

The Reviewing Pane provides a centralized list of all tracked changes and comments in your document. By interacting with comments in this pane instead of the document margins, you can temporarily bypass the limitations of the modern comments interface.

Navigate to the Review tab

Open your document in Microsoft Word and click on the 'Review' tab located in the top ribbon.

Open the Reviewing Pane

Locate the 'Tracking' group on the ribbon and click on the 'Reviewing Pane' button to open the side panel.

Edit or delete your comment

In the Reviewing Pane, click directly on the text of the comment you wish to modify. The Edit button and trash can icon will reappear on the comment bubbles, allowing you to edit or delete them normally.

Screen Space Warning: Keep in mind that keeping the Reviewing Pane open uses additional screen space, which might make editing on smaller laptop screens slightly inconvenient.

Solution 2

Revert to Classic Comments in Word Options

Temporarily disable the modern comments feature in Word's settings to restore the classic interface.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Try WPS Office for a Clean, Classic Commenting Experience

If Microsoft Word's modern comments update is disrupting your workflow, difficult to read, or taking up too much screen space, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a familiar, lightweight, and highly compatible alternative without confusing forced interface updates.

1. Download and install WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website to download the free WPS Office suite and install it on your computer.
2. Open your Word document: Launch WPS Writer and open your existing .docx file. All of your previous Microsoft Word comments will load perfectly.
3. Manage comments effortlessly: Navigate to the 'Review' tab to easily add, edit, or delete comments using a familiar, user-friendly interface.

100% compatible with Microsoft Word (.docx) formats and existing commentsClassic, intuitive comment and track-changes interface that is easy to navigateLightweight application that optimizes your available screen spaceCompletely free to use for your daily document editing and reviewing needs

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did my comment edit buttons disappear in Word?

Microsoft introduced a 'Modern Comments' update in Microsoft 365 that streamlined the visual interface. This update hides the traditional edit (pencil) and delete (trash can) icons from the main document margin view to make the document look less cluttered.

Can I permanently disable modern comments in Word?

You can turn off modern comments by going to File > Options > General, and unchecking 'Enable modern comments'. However, this may not be permanent, as Microsoft periodically updates its software and may eventually retire the classic commenting interface completely.

How do I reply to a modern comment in Word?

In the modern comments interface, click the comment bubble in the document margin. Type your response in the reply box that appears at the bottom of the comment thread, and then click the 'Post' button (or press Ctrl+Enter) to submit your reply.

Document & File Issues