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Fix Tracked Changes Appearing in the Left Pane in Word for Mac
Question details
The user needs to change the display of tracked changes in Word for Mac so that revisions appear as balloons on the right instead of as a list in the left revision pane.
- Product
- Microsoft Word
- Device & OS
- macOS
- Scenario
- Reviewing and editing a document with tracked changes enabled.
- Observed behavior
- Tracked changes are displaying in the left revision pane instead of as balloons on the right side of the document, likely due to altered review view settings.
Before modifying your view settings, ensure your document is saved and verify that your Office for Mac application is updated to the latest version to rule out known display bugs.
Configure Markup Settings to Show Revisions in Balloons
Adjusting the markup view options allows you to force Word to display tracked changes as balloons on the right side instead of utilizing the reviewing pane.
Microsoft Word provides specific configurations for how markup is displayed. If balloons are turned off, Word defaults to showing revisions inline or in the Reviewing Pane.
Launch Word for Mac, open your document, and click on the 'Review' tab located in the top ribbon.
Locate the 'Tracking' group and ensure the Display for Review dropdown is set to 'All Markup'.
Click on 'Markup Options', hover over 'Balloons', and select 'Show Revisions in Balloons' from the dropdown menu.
Disable the Left Reviewing Pane
Manually close the left revision pane to revert the view to standard inline or balloon tracking.
Experience Seamless Document Reviewing with WPS Office
If Word for Mac's tracking options are causing frustration, try WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, intuitive interface with built-in Track Changes features that are fully compatible with Microsoft Word documents, ensuring a smooth reviewing experience.
- 1. Open your Document: Launch WPS Writer and open your existing .docx file.
- 2. Access the Review Tab: Navigate to the 'Review' tab on the top ribbon.
- 3. Manage Tracked Changes: Click 'Track Changes' to start reviewing with familiar, easy-to-read right-side balloons without complex configuration.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did my tracked changes suddenly move to the left pane?
This usually happens if the Reviewing Pane was accidentally toggled on from the Review tab, or if a recent Office update temporarily reset your default markup view settings.
How do I show only my comments and not formatting changes in balloons?
In Word for Mac, go to the Review tab, click on Markup Options, and under the Balloons menu, uncheck 'Formatting'. This ensures only comments and insertions/deletions remain in the right margin.
Does the view change affect how the document prints?
Yes. If you print the document with 'Print Markup' selected, the tracked changes will print exactly as they are currently displayed on your screen. Enabling balloons will print them along the right margin.
