How to Remove Word Review Dates Without Removing Author Names
Question details
The user wants to hide or remove the timestamp (date and time) on track changes or comments in a document while preserving the original reviewer's name.
- Product
- Microsoft Word
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Preparing a reviewed document for sharing or final presentation where comment timestamps are unnecessary or distracting.
- Observed behavior
- Microsoft Word displays both the author name and the review date/time by default, and does not provide a standard settings toggle to hide only the timestamp.
Finalize all your document edits and review comments before attempting to alter metadata, as modifying document properties or exporting to PDF is best done as the final step in your publishing workflow.
Hide Dates by Converting to PDF or Printing
Since Word doesn't allow removing just the dates within the live document, converting the file to PDF often strips or hides the time and date from the visible comment bubbles in the final output.
This is the best workaround if you only need to share a read-only version of the document. Depending on your layout and printer settings, the exported PDF will retain the author names but may omit the specific timestamps.
Click on the 'File' tab in the top-left corner of the Word interface, then select 'Print' from the left sidebar.
In the Printer dropdown menu, select 'Microsoft Print to PDF' or your preferred PDF creator.
Check the print preview pane to see if the comment dates are hidden in the layout. Click the 'Print' button to save the file as a new PDF.
Remove All Personal Information via Document Inspector
If you must remove the dates from the digital .docx file itself, you can use the Document Inspector, though this will also anonymize all author names.
Try WPS Office for Your Document Review Needs
Since Microsoft Word natively restricts hiding specific review metadata, you might consider migrating your workflow to WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, highly compatible alternative with an intuitive interface for tracking changes, managing comments, and collaborating on documents.
- 1. Download and Install: Get WPS Office from the official website and run the quick installer.
- 2. Open Your Document: Launch WPS Writer and open your existing .docx file directly with zero formatting loss.
- 3. Manage Reviews: Navigate to the 'Review' tab to easily manage track changes, comments, and document metadata.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use VBA macros to delete only the comment dates in Word?
No, VBA macros in Word cannot selectively remove or modify the date and time properties of comments while leaving the author name intact. These specific attributes are read-only within the Word object model.
Why does the Document Inspector remove author names along with dates?
The Document Inspector is designed for comprehensive privacy and security. Removing personal information scrubs all user-identifiable metadata simultaneously, including author names, initials, and timestamps, to ensure the document is fully anonymized.
Will the review dates show up if I share the original Word file with others?
Yes. If you share the original .docx file, anyone who opens it in Word will see the review dates and times on your comments and tracked changes, unless you have stripped all personal metadata prior to sharing.
