Fix Word for Mac Tracked Changes Showing Duplicate Authors
Question details
The user needs to fix an issue where Microsoft Word for Mac records tracked changes under a duplicate author profile with the exact same name, typically occurring after restarting the application.
- Product
- Microsoft Word for Mac
- Device & OS
- macOS
- Scenario
- Collaborating or editing a document using the Track Changes feature in Word for Mac.
- Observed behavior
- Tracked changes made after closing and reopening the document appear as if they were made by a different author, even though the author's name is identical.
Ensure all pending edits in your Word documents are saved and synced to OneDrive or your local drive before modifying application preferences or resetting container folders.
Force Word to Use Local User Information
Prevent Word from fetching a different author profile from OneDrive by locking your local user preferences.
When a document is synchronized with OneDrive, Word may obtain the author name directly from the OneDrive or Microsoft 365 account instead of the local Mac preferences. This discrepancy creates duplicate authors. Forcing Word to always use local settings resolves this.
Launch Microsoft Word on your Mac. Click on 'Word' in the top Apple menu bar, and select 'Preferences'.
Under the 'Personal Settings' section of the Preferences window, click on 'User Information'.
Ensure your 'Name' and 'Initials' are spelled correctly. Check the box next to 'Always use these values regardless of sign in to Office' to force Word to use this exact profile.
Clear the Word Application Cache
Rebuild local application data by resetting the Word container folder, which can fix persistent underlying bugs.
Try WPS Office for Seamless Tracked Changes on Mac
Tired of Microsoft Office glitches like duplicate author names? WPS Office is a free, lightweight alternative that offers excellent compatibility with Word documents. Enjoy a stable collaboration experience without complex sync issues or corrupted profiles.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Get the free macOS version from the official WPS website and install it.
- 2. Open your Document: Launch WPS Writer and open your existing .docx file. Your original tracked changes will remain intact.
- 3. Start Tracking Changes: Go to the 'Review' tab and click 'Track Changes' to collaborate reliably without generating duplicate author profiles.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Word for Mac show two authors with the exact same name?
This usually happens when the document is synced with OneDrive or SharePoint. Word sometimes alternates between using your local Mac User Information and your online Microsoft 365 account profile. Because the data sources are different, Word interprets them as two distinct authors, even if the names appear identical.
Will moving the com.microsoft.Word folder delete my saved documents?
No, moving the Word container folder only resets the application's local cache and layout preferences. Your actual documents, files, and templates remain completely safe.
Can I combine or merge the duplicate authors into one?
Microsoft Word does not offer a native button to merge duplicate authors retroactively. You can either accept/reject the changes to finalize the document, or use an advanced VBA macro to rename authors. However, fixing your User Information preferences will prevent the duplication from happening in future edits.
