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How to Fix Misplaced Quotation Marks in Word for the Web Track Changes
Question details
Users need a way to stop or fix quotation marks from shifting one character to the right in Word for the web.
- Product
- Word for the Web
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Typing single or double quotation marks while Track Changes is enabled, which triggers the auto-format to smart quotes.
- Observed behavior
- When Word for the web automatically converts a straight quotation mark to a smart quotation mark during Track Changes, the character incorrectly appears one space to the right, forcing the user to manually reposition it.
Ensure that you are actively working in Word for the web with Track Changes enabled, and test if the issue persists in a completely new document before applying workarounds.
Use the Undo Shortcut or Manually Reposition Quotes
Since this is a known auto-formatting bug in Word for the web, using the undo function or dragging the character is the quickest temporary workaround to keep your workflow moving.
This issue occurs because Word for the web struggles to correctly position smart (curly) quotes while processing the markup for Track Changes. Reverting the auto-format or manually moving the text circumvents the glitch.
Type your quotation mark as usual. When Word auto-converts it to a smart quote and displaces it, immediately press 'Ctrl + Z' (Windows) or 'Cmd + Z' (Mac). This undoes the smart quote conversion and leaves the straight quote in the correct place.
Alternatively, if you prefer to keep the curly smart quotes, highlight the misplaced quotation mark, click it, and drag it one character to the left to its proper position.
Submit a Bug Report via Microsoft 365 Feedback
Report this specific formatting defect directly to Microsoft so their engineering team can investigate and release a permanent fix for Word for the web.
Edit Documents Flawlessly with WPS Office
Tired of web-based formatting bugs disrupting your workflow? WPS Office offers a highly stable, lightweight desktop and web experience. Enjoy seamless Track Changes without quotation mark glitches, fully compatible with Microsoft Word.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Download and install WPS Office for free from the official website.
- 2. Open Your Document: Open your existing .docx document directly in WPS Writer. Your formatting and previous tracked changes will be preserved perfectly.
- 3. Enable Track Changes: Go to the 'Review' tab on the ribbon and click 'Track Changes' to enable document tracking.
- 4. Type Without Glitches: Type normally. Quotation marks and other auto-formatted characters will behave predictably without shifting out of place.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do my quotation marks move when I type in Word for the web?
This is a known defect in Word for the web related to the AutoFormat feature. When Track Changes is enabled, Word attempts to change straight quotes to 'smart' (curly) quotes, but a rendering glitch causes the character to shift one space to the right.
Can I disable smart quotes to prevent this issue in Word for the web?
Currently, Word for the web has limited AutoFormat options compared to the desktop version. You may not be able to completely disable smart quotes natively in the browser version, making the 'Ctrl + Z' (Undo) workaround the most effective immediate solution.
Does this quotation mark bug happen in the Word desktop app?
No, this specific formatting glitch appears to be isolated to Word for the web when Track Changes is turned on. Editing the same document in the desktop application of Microsoft Word or a reliable alternative like WPS Office will bypass the issue entirely.
