How to Show Word Comments as Shaded Text and Margin Balloons
Question details
The user needs to change the display of document comments from inline bracketed initials to shaded text with descriptive margin balloons.
- Product
- Microsoft Word
- Device & OS
- Windows
- Scenario
- Reviewing and formatting document comments.
- Observed behavior
- Comments are currently displaying as initials in brackets directly beside the text inline, rather than as shaded text pointing to comment balloons in the right margin.
Ensure your document is in Print Layout view, as margin balloons cannot be properly displayed in Read Mode or Web Layout.
Enable All Markup and Show Revisions in Balloons
Adjust the Display for Review settings in the Review tab to render comments in margin balloons, then refresh the document if the visual layout fails to update.
When comments appear inline as brackets instead of margin balloons, the document's tracking options are likely set to display revisions inline. Modifying the markup settings will restore the standard margin balloons.
In some instances, Word may experience a minor rendering glitch where the balloons do not appear immediately after changing the settings. Saving and reopening the file forces the layout to refresh.
Open your document and navigate to the 'Review' tab on the main ribbon at the top of the window.
In the Tracking group, click the 'Display for Review' drop-down menu and select 'All Markup'.
Click 'Show Markup', point to 'Balloons' in the drop-down list, and select 'Show Revisions in Balloons'.
If the display does not update immediately to show the shaded text and balloons, save your document, close it completely, and reopen the file.
Go to File > Print to view the print preview pane and confirm exactly how the comments and balloons will appear when printed.
Easily Manage Document Comments and Markup with WPS Writer
WPS Writer offers an intuitive platform for reviewing documents, allowing you to seamlessly display, edit, and print comments in clear margin balloons. It provides a familiar interface for managing all your document markups effortlessly.
- 1. Open Document: Launch WPS Writer and open the document containing the comments.
- 2. Access Review Tools: Click on the 'Review' tab located on the top ribbon menu.
- 3. Enable All Markup: Locate the tracking options and ensure the markup view is set to 'All Markup' to make comments fully visible.
- 4. Toggle Balloons: Click on the 'Balloons' option within the Review tab and set it to display revisions in the right margin.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are my Word comments showing up inline instead of in the margin?
This happens when your markup view settings are configured to show revisions inline. You can correct this by going to the Review tab, selecting 'Show Markup', pointing to 'Balloons', and choosing to 'Show Revisions in Balloons'.
Will margin balloons appear when I print my document?
Yes, if you have comments displayed in balloons and choose to 'Print Markup' in your print settings. You can verify the final printed layout by going to File > Print and checking the print preview.
Why aren't my comment balloons showing up even after I enable them?
Sometimes the document view fails to refresh immediately due to a rendering issue. Try saving your document, closing it completely, and reopening it to force the balloons and shaded text to render properly.
Can I hide the comments entirely without deleting them?
Yes. Under the Review tab, you can change the Display for Review setting from 'All Markup' to 'No Markup'. This will temporarily hide all comments and tracked changes while you read the document.
