File Format & Compatibility

How to Fix Google Docs Suggested Edits Missing in a Word File

Phi Hung Vo Oct 10, 2026 872 views

Question details

The user downloaded a Google Docs file containing suggested edits, but these revisions appear to be missing or hidden when the file is opened in Microsoft Word.

How to Fix Google Docs Suggested Edits Missing in a Word File

Product: Word
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Reviewing a downloaded Google Docs document (.docx) in a desktop word processor and trying to view or manage the original suggested edits.
Observed behavior: The suggested edits do not immediately display upon opening the file in Word because they are governed by Word's native Track Changes and review display settings.

Before you start

Verify that you downloaded the latest version of the Google Doc as a Microsoft Word (.docx) file, and ensure that the suggested edits were not accidentally accepted or rejected prior to downloading.

Solution 1Recommended

Enable Track Changes and Show All Markup in Word

Microsoft Word translates Google Docs' suggested edits into its own Track Changes feature. You must configure Word's review settings to display this markup.

When a document is exported from Google Docs, the revision history is preserved. However, Word may default to a viewing mode like 'Simple Markup' or 'No Markup', which hides the detailed inline revisions.

Open the Review Tab

Launch Microsoft Word and open your downloaded .docx file. Click on the 'Review' tab located in the top ribbon menu.

Locate the Tracking Group

Find the 'Tracking' group within the Review toolbar. Ensure that the 'Track Changes' button is highlighted or turned on.

Change the Display for Review Setting

Click the 'Display for Review' dropdown menu (which may currently be set to 'Simple Markup' or 'No Markup').

Select All Markup

Choose 'All Markup' from the dropdown list. Your Google Docs suggested edits will now appear as colored text and strikethroughs.

Enable Track Changes and Show All Markup in Word

Edits Restored: Once 'All Markup' is selected, you can use the Accept and Reject buttons in the Review tab to process the suggestions.

Solution 2

Export and Send the Document as a PDF

If you are sharing the document with a recipient who only needs to view the edits without modifying them, exporting a PDF from Google Docs ensures the revisions are permanently visible.

Review Documents Seamlessly

View and Manage Tracked Changes with WPS Writer

WPS Office Writer provides excellent compatibility with Microsoft Word formats and Google Docs exports. You can easily view, accept, or reject suggested edits using its intuitive Track Changes interface.

1. Open the Document in WPS Writer: Launch WPS Office and open the .docx file you downloaded from Google Docs.
2. Navigate to the Review Tab: Click on the 'Review' tab at the top of the application window.
3. Enable Markup Display: In the Tracking section, click on 'Show Markup' and ensure that the necessary revision options are checked so your edits become visible.
4. Process the Edits: Use the 'Accept' or 'Reject' buttons on the ribbon to manage each suggestion imported from your Google Doc.

Seamlessly displays Google Docs suggested edits as tracked changesHighly compatible with Microsoft Word (.doc, .docx) formatsIntuitive Review tab for effortlessly managing comments and revisionsFree to download and lightweight for everyday document processing

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do Google Docs suggested edits become tracked changes in Word?

Google Docs and Microsoft Word use different names for the same functionality. 'Suggested Edits' in Google Docs directly translates to the standard 'Track Changes' feature in the .docx file format.

Will unresolved comments in Google Docs also transfer to Word?

Yes. When you download a Google Doc as a .docx file, any unresolved comments are converted into standard document comments. You can view them by navigating to the Review tab and ensuring 'Show Comments' is enabled.

What happens if I select 'No Markup' in Word?

Selecting 'No Markup' hides all tracked changes and displays the document as if all suggested edits have been accepted. However, the edits are not actually permanently accepted; they are just visually hidden while you read the document.

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