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How to Fix Duplicated Text with Track Changes in Word
Question details
Users experience duplicated text that cannot be deleted normally when collaborating on a Word document with Track Changes enabled.
- Product
- Word
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Multiple people are editing a shared Word document with the Track Changes feature turned on.
- Observed behavior
- Text duplicates itself during editing, and the duplicated content cannot be removed using standard deletion methods, indicating a compatibility glitch.
Before changing file formats, ensure all current collaborators have saved their recent changes and closed the document to prevent version conflicts during the conversion.
Convert the Document to the Modern .docx Format
Upgrading from the older Word 97-2003 (.doc) format to the modern .docx format resolves compatibility glitches with the Track Changes feature.
The older Word 97-2003 (.doc) format has limited support for complex collaboration features like Track Changes when opened in modern word processors. Converting the file to the XML-based .docx format standardizes the markup and eliminates duplication errors.
Open the problematic .doc file in your word processing software.
Click on the 'File' tab in the top left corner (or 'Menu' depending on your software) and select 'Save As' from the dropdown menu.
In the 'Save as type' or 'File Format' dropdown menu, choose 'Word Document (*.docx)'.
Click 'Save'. Close the document and reopen the newly created .docx file to verify the duplicated text is gone and Track Changes works correctly.
Use WPS Writer for Flawless Track Changes and File Compatibility
WPS Office provides excellent compatibility with all Microsoft Word formats. You can easily manage Track Changes, collaborate with your team without duplication errors, and seamlessly convert older .doc files to the modern .docx format.
- 1. Open File in WPS Writer: Launch WPS Office and open your existing Word document.
- 2. Use Track Changes: Navigate to the 'Review' tab and click 'Track Changes' to monitor edits without formatting glitches.
- 3. Save as .docx: Go to 'Menu' > 'Save As' and select 'Microsoft Word Document (*.docx)' to ensure optimal compatibility.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does the older .doc format cause duplicate text in Track Changes?
The older .doc format uses a legacy binary structure that doesn't fully support the complex metadata required by modern Track Changes features. When multiple modern word processors interact with this old format, they can misinterpret the revision history, leading to duplicated text.
Can I remove the duplicated text without changing the file format?
In most cases, the duplicated text is a visual symptom of file corruption within the legacy format. You must usually convert to .docx to stabilize the document's markup before the phantom text can be successfully deleted.
Will converting to .docx erase my current Track Changes history?
No, saving the document as a .docx file will preserve your existing unresolved Track Changes and comments while fixing the underlying compatibility issue.
