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How to Change Track Changes Formatting and Display Settings in Word
Question details
The user wants to know how to adjust settings for tracking formatting changes and displaying existing markup in Microsoft Word.
- Product
- Microsoft Word
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Customizing document review settings to manage how tracked insertions, deletions, and formatting changes are displayed.
- Observed behavior
- Word provides separate settings for tracking new formatting changes and displaying existing markup. Disabling format tracking does not remove previously tracked formatting; those must be accepted or rejected.
Ensure your document is saved before modifying advanced track changes options, as some display settings may only apply to your local Office installation and will not travel with the document.
Configure Advanced Track Changes Options
Change how insertions, deletions, and formatting changes are tracked and displayed in your document.
Advanced Track Changes Options allow you to control exactly what types of edits are recorded and how they are visually represented. Changing these settings only affects how new edits are tracked moving forward.
Navigate to the Review tab located on the top ribbon of your Word document.
Click the dialog box launcher (the small arrow) in the bottom-right corner of the Tracking group, or click Tracking, then select Advanced Options.
Use the dropdown menus to choose how insertions, deletions, and moved text appear (such as underlines, strikethroughs, or specific colors).
Check or uncheck the Track Formatting box to toggle whether new formatting changes are recorded, then click OK to save your settings.
Modify Display Settings for Existing Markup
Control whether existing markup appears inline or in balloons without permanently removing the tracked changes.
Accept or Reject Tracked Changes
Permanently remove tracked markup from your document by accepting or rejecting the edits.
Manage Track Changes Seamlessly with WPS Writer
WPS Writer offers an intuitive interface for reviewing documents, allowing you to easily track changes, manage balloons, and collaborate without visual clutter. It provides excellent compatibility with Microsoft Word documents and seamless markup management.
- 1. Open Document in WPS Writer: Launch WPS Office and open your .docx file to begin the review process.
- 2. Enable Track Changes: Go to the Review tab and click the Track Changes button to start recording edits.
- 3. Customize Display Options: Click Track Changes Options in the Review tab to easily adjust markup colors, formatting tracking rules, and balloon display preferences.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do tracked changes reappear when I reopen my Word document?
If you only change the 'Display for Review' setting to 'No Markup' or 'Original', the changes are merely hidden from view visually. To permanently remove them from the document, you must use the Accept or Reject buttons on the Review tab.
Does turning off 'Track Formatting' remove existing formatting changes?
No, disabling formatting tracking only prevents new formatting edits from being recorded moving forward. You must manually accept or reject previously tracked formatting changes to clear them from the markup pane.
Why do my Track Changes display settings look different on another computer?
Some display settings, such as whether markup appears in balloons or inline, are specific to your local Office installation and user preferences. They do not travel with the document file itself, meaning other users will view the document based on their own system settings.
Can I print my document without showing the tracked changes?
Yes. Go to the Print menu, click on the settings dropdown (usually labeled 'Print All Pages'), and uncheck the 'Print Markup' option to print a clean copy of your document without any visible revisions.
