Document Editing Problems

How to Stop Word Track Changes from Jumping to Other Editors

Maira Mehtab Sep 20, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user needs to stop their Word document screen from automatically jumping to the locations where other users are currently editing during a simultaneous review session.

Product: Microsoft Word
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Multiple users are co-authoring and reviewing a shared document simultaneously with Track Changes and comments enabled.
Observed behavior: While one user is trying to read the document, the screen jumps to locations where other users are actively making edits.

Before you start

Before troubleshooting, verify whether your document is hosted on Microsoft SharePoint or a third-party service like ShareNow, as the collaboration and real-time syncing behaviors depend heavily on the hosting platform.

Solution 1Recommended

Test Co-authoring Behavior with a New Document

Determine whether the screen-jumping issue is caused by a corrupted file or the collaboration platform's native synchronization mechanism.

Testing a brand-new file in the exact same location helps isolate the root cause. If the new file behaves normally, the original document might have hidden corruption or excessive tracked changes causing the erratic jumping.

Create a new document

Open Microsoft Word and create a new blank document.

Upload to the shared platform

Save and upload this new document to the exact same shared location (e.g., SharePoint or ShareNow) as the problematic file.

Enable Track Changes

Navigate to the 'Review' tab on the ribbon and click 'Track Changes' to turn it on.

Conduct a simultaneous test

Invite a colleague to open the new document at the same time. Have them type in a different section while you attempt to read, and observe if the screen still jumps.

Platform Dependent: If the jumping occurs in the new document as well, the issue is likely tied to the real-time collaboration settings of your hosting platform rather than the Word file itself.

Solution 2

Switch from Web Viewer to Desktop Application

Use the native Word desktop application instead of web-based viewers to gain better control over independent scrolling and syncing.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Experience Smooth Co-authoring with WPS Office

If real-time syncing and Track Changes in Microsoft Word are causing frustrating screen jumps during collaboration, try WPS Office. It offers a lightweight, highly compatible alternative with seamless cloud collaboration features that let you review documents in peace.

1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website to download and install the free office suite on your computer.
2. Open Your Document: Launch WPS Writer and open your existing .docx files directly; your original formatting and comments remain perfectly intact.
3. Collaborate Effortlessly: Use WPS Cloud to share the document with colleagues and co-author smoothly without constant screen interruptions.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Word (.docx) formats and Track Changes.Smooth cloud-based co-authoring without disruptive screen jumping.Free and lightweight office suite for everyday document editing.Familiar user interface makes switching and team onboarding effortless.

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my Word document jump around when others are editing?

This usually happens during real-time co-authoring when the platform attempts to sync changes instantly. It can also occur if a 'follow active editor' feature is enabled in a third-party collaboration environment like ShareNow.

Can I prevent others from editing while I review with Track Changes?

Yes. If you are using SharePoint, you can right-click the file in the document library and select 'Check Out'. This locks the document for exclusive editing, preventing others from making simultaneous changes until you 'Check In' the file.

Does Track Changes work differently in the Word web app compared to the desktop app?

Yes. The Word web app often forces real-time view updates to reflect immediate changes, whereas the desktop application provides a more stable independent reading view while syncing changes quietly in the background.

Document & File Issues