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How to Move Word Comments and Review Pane to the Left
Question details
The user wants to display comment balloons and the review pane on the left side of the document, but the setting to change the balloon location is no longer available.
- Product
- Microsoft Word 2021
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Customizing the review and track changes layout to show comments and the review pane on the left side of the screen.
- Observed behavior
- Word 2021 defaults to displaying comment balloons and the review pane on the right side, and the balloon-location option is completely missing from the Advanced Track Changes Options menu.
Before modifying or downgrading your Microsoft Office installation, ensure you save all open documents, close all Office applications, and verify that you have administrative privileges on your computer.
Roll Back Word to a Previous Version via Command Prompt
Since the balloon-location setting was removed in a recent update, the most effective solution is to install an earlier version of Office where the feature is still available.
This method involves using the Command Prompt to downgrade your Office installation to version 16.0.17425.20146, which retains the left-side review pane option.
Make sure all Microsoft Office programs, including Word, Excel, and Outlook, are completely closed.
Click the Windows Start menu, type 'cmd', right-click on 'Command Prompt' in the search results, and select 'Run as administrator'.
In the Command Prompt window, type 'cd %programfiles%\Common Files\microsoft shared\ClickToRun' and press Enter.
Type 'OfficeC2RClient.exe /update user updatetoversion=16.0.17425.20146' and press Enter to begin the downgrade process. Wait for the installation to finish.
Open Word, navigate to File > Account, click on 'Update Options', and select 'Disable Updates' to prevent Word from removing the feature again.
Reactivate Balloon Settings from the Review Tab
If you are on a version that supports the setting but the balloon options are grayed out, adjusting your markup view can re-enable the dialog.
Enjoy Familiar Review Features with WPS Office
If missing features and forced interface updates in Microsoft Word disrupt your reviewing workflow, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, highly customizable, and familiar interface with comprehensive commenting and track changes tools—completely free.
- 1. Download and Install: Visit the official WPS Office website to download and install the free suite.
- 2. Open Your Document: Launch WPS Writer, click 'Open', and select your existing Word document.
- 3. Use Review Tools: Navigate to the 'Review' tab to easily manage comments, track changes, and view markup exactly how you prefer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did the option to move comment balloons to the left disappear?
Microsoft removed the balloon-location setting from the Advanced Track Changes Options in recent updates for Word 2021 and Microsoft 365, standardizing the review pane and comments to always appear on the right side.
How can I stop Word from automatically updating?
To prevent Word from updating, open any Word document, go to File > Account, click the 'Update Options' button next to Office Updates, and choose 'Disable Updates' from the dropdown menu.
Will rolling back my Office version delete my documents?
No, rolling back your Microsoft Office version using the Command Prompt only affects the application files. Your personal documents, templates, and files remain safe, though it is always recommended to back up open work before starting.
Is there any other way to move the review pane in the newest Word update?
Currently, there is no native setting in the latest versions of Word to anchor the review pane or comment balloons to the left. The only known workaround is downgrading to a previous version of the software.
