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How to Permanently Close the Reviewing Pane in Microsoft Word
Question details
The user wants to find a way to prevent the Reviewing Pane from repeatedly reopening in Microsoft Word.
- Product
- Microsoft Word
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Editing or reviewing a document where the Reviewing Pane continues to pop up automatically.
- Observed behavior
- The Reviewing Pane reopens continuously even after being manually closed or after adjusting the Track Changes display options.
Ensure you have saved your current document before testing global templates or starting Word in Safe Mode to prevent any unexpected data loss.
Disable Track Changes and Close the Reviewing Pane
The most common reason the pane repeatedly reopens is that Track Changes is actively recording edits in your current document.
Track Changes settings are often saved at the document level. If the feature is left on, Word will persistently try to show you the revisions via the Reviewing Pane.
Open your document and click on the 'Review' tab located on the top ribbon.
Look at the 'Tracking' group. If the 'Track Changes' button is highlighted, click it to turn the tracking feature off.
In the same Tracking group, click the 'Reviewing Pane' button to toggle the panel completely off.
Press Ctrl + S to save the document so your new view settings are preserved for the next time you open the file.
Troubleshoot Add-ins Using Safe Mode
If the Reviewing Pane keeps opening across all new and existing documents, a third-party add-in or a modified global template might be forcing it open.
Experience Uninterrupted Editing with WPS Office
Frustrated by Microsoft Word's persistent Reviewing Pane? WPS Office provides a free, lightweight alternative with full Microsoft Office format compatibility. Enjoy a familiar interface and seamless migration without the hassle of intrusive panes.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Download and install WPS Office for free from the official website.
- 2. Open Your Document: Open your existing Word document directly in WPS Writer without losing any formatting.
- 3. Edit Without Interruptions: Navigate to the Review tab to track changes easily, without unpredictable pop-up panes disrupting your workflow.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does the Reviewing Pane keep popping up in Word?
The Reviewing Pane usually appears automatically when a document contains unresolved tracked changes or comments. It can also open if a global template has been modified to default to this specific reviewing view.
How do I hide tracked changes in Word without accepting them?
You can hide tracked changes temporarily by navigating to the Review tab, clicking on the 'Display for Review' drop-down menu (often set to 'All Markup'), and changing it to 'No Markup'.
Does accepting all changes stop the reviewing pane from opening?
Yes. Once you accept or reject all tracked changes and delete any existing comments from the Review tab, the document will no longer have revisions to display, which typically prevents the pane from automatically launching.
