'%3e%3cpath%20d='M8%200C12.4183%200%2016%203.58172%2016%208C16%2012.4183%2012.4183%2016%208%2016C3.58172%2016%200%2012.4183%200%208C0%203.58172%203.58172%200%208%200ZM11.6162%204.38379C11.2257%203.99337%2010.5927%203.99338%2010.2021%204.38379L8%206.58594L5.79785%204.38379C5.40732%203.99334%204.77429%203.99329%204.38379%204.38379C3.99331%204.77429%203.99335%205.40733%204.38379%205.79785L6.58594%208L4.38379%2010.2021C3.99348%2010.5927%203.99341%2011.2257%204.38379%2011.6162C4.77426%2012.0066%205.40734%2012.0065%205.79785%2011.6162L8%209.41406L10.2021%2011.6162C10.5927%2012.0066%2011.2257%2012.0067%2011.6162%2011.6162C12.0067%2011.2257%2012.0066%2010.5927%2011.6162%2010.2021L9.41406%208L11.6162%205.79785C12.0066%205.40735%2012.0066%204.77429%2011.6162%204.38379Z'%20fill='%23080E17'%20fill-opacity='0.46'/%3e%3c/g%3e%3cdefs%3e%3cclipPath%20id='clip0_3761_713'%3e%3crect%20width='16'%20height='16'%20fill='white'/%3e%3c/clipPath%3e%3c/defs%3e%3c/svg%3e)
How to Hide Formatting Revisions in Word Compare Comment Balloons
Question details
The user wants to remove visible formatting changes from comment balloons after comparing two documents to streamline the review process.
- Product
- Microsoft Word
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Reviewing tracked changes and comparison results of two documents.
- Observed behavior
- Formatting changes clutter the comparison comment balloons, making it difficult to focus on textual insertions and deletions.
Ensure you have successfully run the document comparison tool and have the newly generated comparison document open on your screen.
Disable Formatting Revisions in Show Markup
Quickly hide formatting changes from the comment balloons by adjusting the markup display settings on the Review tab.
By default, Microsoft Word displays all types of document revisions in balloons, including font changes, bold text, and margin adjustments. Disabling this specific markup category cleans up your review window without deleting the underlying changes.
Open the compared document and click on the 'Review' tab located in the main ribbon at the top of the window.
Find the 'Tracking' group within the Review ribbon, which houses all the controls for tracked changes and markup display.
Click the 'Show Markup' drop-down menu. In the list that appears, click on 'Formatting' to uncheck it. All formatting revisions will instantly disappear from the comparison balloons.
Compare and Review Documents Seamlessly with WPS Office
WPS Writer offers powerful Document Comparison and Track Changes tools, allowing you to easily filter out formatting revisions and focus on what matters most. It provides a clean interface for managing heavy document edits.
- 1. Open Your Document in WPS Writer: Launch WPS Office and open the document containing the tracked changes or comparison results.
- 2. Go to the Review Tab: Click on the 'Review' tab situated in the top menu bar.
- 3. Hide Formatting: Click 'Show Markup' and uncheck the 'Formatting' option to instantly remove formatting balloons from your view.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will hiding formatting revisions automatically accept them?
No, hiding the formatting revisions only removes them from your screen. The changes remain pending in the document until you explicitly accept or reject them using the Review tab commands.
How can I permanently remove formatting revisions instead of just hiding them?
To permanently accept and remove formatting balloons, click 'Show Markup' and uncheck everything except 'Formatting'. Then, click the 'Accept' drop-down arrow and choose 'Accept All Changes Shown'. Finally, re-enable insertions, deletions, and comments in the 'Show Markup' menu.
Why do some balloons still appear after unchecking formatting?
If balloons still appear, they likely contain other types of markups such as comments, structural changes, or textual insertions and deletions. Ensure you have only disabled the specific markup categories you wish to hide.
Can I prevent Word from tracking formatting changes entirely?
Yes. Before you start editing or comparing, click the dialog box launcher (small arrow) in the bottom right of the Tracking group, choose 'Advanced Options', and uncheck 'Track Formatting'. This prevents new formatting changes from being recorded.
