Fix Word for Mac Not Showing Your Name in Tracked Changes
Question details
The user needs to resolve an issue where their author name is hidden or missing when making edits using the Track Changes feature in Word for Mac.
- Product
- Microsoft Word
- Device & OS
- macOS
- Scenario
- Collaborating on a document and recording revisions using the Track Changes feature.
- Observed behavior
- Insertions and edits appear as underlined colored text or balloons, but the specific author's name is not displayed next to the tracked changes, even though other collaborators can see the name correctly on their devices.
Ensure you have saved your current document progress. It is also highly recommended to open a blank test document, enable Track Changes, and make a quick edit to determine if this issue is isolated to a single file or affects the entire application.
Verify User Information and Privacy Settings
Check your personal settings and disable the privacy option that automatically strips author names from file properties upon saving.
Microsoft Word has a built-in privacy feature designed to remove personal metadata from files. When this is accidentally enabled, Word replaces your actual name with 'Author' or leaves it blank in your tracked changes and comments.
Open Microsoft Word on your Mac. Click on the 'Word' menu at the top-left of your screen and select 'Preferences'. Under the Personal Settings section, click on 'User Information' and verify that your Name and Initials are entered correctly.
Go back to the main Preferences menu and click on 'Security'. Look for the Privacy options section.
Uncheck the box that says 'Remove personal information from this file on save'. If it is greyed out, you may need to unprotect the document first.
Save your document, close it, and reopen it. Make a new tracked change to confirm your name is now visible.
Adjust Markup and Balloon Options
Change how tracked revisions are displayed on your screen to ensure insertions and deletions properly show author attributions.
Test with Word for the Web
Use the web version of Microsoft Word to isolate whether the issue stems from your local Mac application or the document itself.
Use WPS Office for Reliable Document Collaboration on Mac
If Microsoft Word for Mac continues to experience display glitches with your tracked changes, WPS Office is an excellent, free alternative. It is lightweight, offers a familiar interface, and seamlessly manages your document revisions without losing user attribution.
- 1. Install WPS Office: Download and install the free WPS Office application for macOS.
- 2. Open Your Document: Launch WPS Writer and open your existing .docx file directly without any format conversion.
- 3. Manage Tracked Changes: Navigate to the Review tab to reliably view, accept, or reject tracked changes with correct author names.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Word change my name to 'Author' in Track Changes?
This happens when the 'Remove personal information from this file on save' privacy option is enabled in Word. When checked, Word automatically strips identifiable user data like names and initials from document properties and revisions to protect privacy.
How do I change the username displayed in Word for Mac?
You can update your display name by opening Word, clicking on 'Word' in the top menu bar, selecting 'Preferences', and then clicking 'User Information'. Update the Name and Initials fields, and these will be used for future tracked changes.
Can other users see my tracked changes even if they are hidden on my Mac?
Yes. If the issue is caused by a local display glitch or specific Markup settings on your Mac, the metadata might still exist in the document. Collaborators opening the file on a Windows PC or Word for the Web will often be able to see your name associated with the edits.
