Document Editing Problems

How to Remove Tags and Metadata from Word's Save As Dialog

Maira Mehtab Sep 20, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user wants to remove or modify the tags and author information that automatically appear in Microsoft Word's 'Save As' dialog box.

Uncheck Read-only in Windows file Properties for a Word document

Product: Microsoft Word
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Saving a document and trying to manage or clear file metadata before finalizing the save.
Observed behavior: Tags and author metadata appear automatically in the Save As dialog because Word pulls this data from the document's built-in Keywords and Author properties.

Before you start

Open the Save As dialog first and take note of the exact text displaying in the Tags and Author fields so you know exactly which built-in properties need to be cleared.

Solution 1Recommended

Clear Keywords and Author from Built-in Properties

Since tags and authors are stored in the built-in document properties, clearing these fields directly will remove them from the Save As dialog.

Microsoft Word uses the built-in 'Keywords' property to populate the Tags field, while the 'Author' field uses the built-in Author property. Modifying these properties directly is the most effective way to clear the data.

Open Advanced Properties

In Microsoft Word, go to the File tab, click Info, click the Properties dropdown on the right side, and select Advanced Properties.

Modify the Summary Tab

Navigate to the Summary tab in the properties window that appears.

Clear the Tags

Locate the 'Keywords' text field and delete all the text inside it to remove the tags.

Clear the Author

Locate the 'Author' text field and delete the existing name.

Save Changes

Click OK to close the properties dialog, and then save your document to apply the metadata changes.

Metadata Cleared: The next time you open the Save As dialog for this document, the Tags and Author fields will be blank.

Solution 2

Use a Third-Party Property Editor Tool

If you have numerous properties to manage across multiple files, using a dedicated add-in can streamline the metadata editing process.

Edit Document Properties Easily

Remove Tags and Metadata Using WPS Writer

WPS Office offers a straightforward way to clear document tags, keywords, and author information, ensuring your privacy before saving or sharing your files.

1. Open File in WPS: Launch WPS Writer and open the document you wish to modify.
2. Access Document Properties: Click on the 'Menu' button at the top left corner, navigate to 'Prepare', and select 'Document Properties'.
3. Clear the Metadata: Go to the 'Summary' tab, delete the text in the 'Keywords' (tags) and 'Author' fields, click OK, and save your document.

Easily view, edit, or remove document metadata like authors and keywordsFully compatible with Microsoft Word (.docx) file formatsFree and lightweight alternative to heavy office suitesIntuitive user interface for faster document management

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do tags appear in the Save As dialog?

The Save As dialog automatically displays document metadata, such as the built-in 'Keywords' property, to help categorize and make your files easier to search for within your operating system.

How can I prevent my name from being added as an author to new documents?

In Word, go to File > Options > General. Under 'Personalize your copy of Microsoft Office', change or remove the user name, and check the box that says 'Always use these values regardless of sign in to Office'.

Does removing tags from the Save As dialog delete them permanently?

Yes, if you delete the tags from the document's built-in 'Keywords' property and save the file, those tags are permanently removed from the document's metadata.

Document & File Issues