Office Settings & Configuration

How to Change the Author Name in a Word Document

Bushra Parveen Oct 10, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user wants to change the author name associated with a Word document but cannot locate the Document Properties option in the web version of Word.

How to Change the Author Name in a Word Document

Product: Microsoft Word
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Updating or removing the author metadata and personal information associated with a document file.
Observed behavior: The necessary document property controls are missing because the user is using Word for the web, which has limited feature availability compared to the desktop app.

Before you start

Since Word for the web has highly limited document-property controls, you will need to use the desktop version of Word or the Windows File Explorer to successfully modify document metadata.

Solution 1Recommended

Change or Remove the Author Name via Windows File Explorer

This method allows you to strip personal information or modify document properties directly from your computer without even opening the file.

If you only have access to Word for the web but are using a Windows PC, modifying the file properties directly through the operating system is the most reliable workaround.

Locate the file

Open Windows File Explorer and find the specific Word document you want to edit.

Open document properties

Right-click the file and select 'Properties' from the context menu.

Access the Details tab

Click on the 'Details' tab at the top of the Properties window to view the file's metadata.

Remove or edit personal information

Click the 'Remove Properties and Personal Information' link at the bottom. Choose to either create a copy with all possible properties removed, or select 'Remove the following properties from this file', check the 'Author' box, and click 'OK'.

Change or Remove the Author Name via Windows File Explorer

Quick Tip: If you just want to change the name instead of removing it, you can sometimes click directly into the 'Value' column next to 'Authors' in the Details tab and type the new name.

Solution 2

Edit Document Properties in Desktop Word

If you have the desktop version of Word installed, you can easily add or change the author name for the current document.

Solution 3

Change the Default Author for New Documents

Update the global User Name setting in Word Options so that all future documents, comments, and tracked changes use your preferred name.

Manage Document Properties Seamlessly

Use WPS Office to Easily Edit Document Authors and Properties

WPS Office provides a comprehensive, fully-featured desktop application that makes managing document properties effortless. Unlike web-only editors, WPS Office gives you complete control over document metadata, author names, and tracking settings in a highly familiar interface.

1. Open the document in WPS Writer: Launch WPS Office and open the Word document you wish to edit.
2. Access document information: Click on the main 'Menu' button at the top left corner of the screen, and select 'Document Information' or 'Properties' from the drop-down list.
3. Edit the Author field: In the properties window, navigate to the 'Summary' tab. Locate the 'Author' field, delete the existing name, and type in your desired author name.
4. Save your changes: Click 'OK' to close the properties window, then save the document to permanently apply the new author name.

Completely free to download and useSeamless format compatibility with Microsoft Word (.docx)Full access to advanced document properties and metadata settingsLightweight installation that runs smoothly on almost any device

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why can't I change the author name in Word for the web?

Word for the web is designed as a streamlined, browser-based editor and currently lacks the advanced document-property and metadata controls found in the full desktop application. To edit these specific properties, you must open the file in the desktop app or alter its properties through Windows File Explorer.

Does changing the default user name alter the author of my previous comments?

No. Changing the 'User Name' setting in Word Options only applies to new comments and tracked changes created after the change. Existing comments will retain the original author name.

Can I add multiple authors to a single Word document?

Yes. When editing the author property via the 'File > Info' screen in the desktop application, you can click 'Add an author' and type multiple names, separating each name with a semicolon (;).

How do I completely remove all personal information from a Word document before sharing?

The easiest way on a Windows PC is to close the document, right-click the file in File Explorer, select 'Properties', go to the 'Details' tab, and click 'Remove Properties and Personal Information'. Select 'Create a copy with all possible properties removed' to generate a clean version of your file for sharing.

Office App Problems