Office for Mac Issues

How to Restore Missing Track Changes and Review Tabs in Word for Mac

Phi Hung Vo Oct 7, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user needs to restore the Track Changes controls and the Review tab that have disappeared from the Word Ribbon interface.

How to Restore Missing Track Changes and Review Tabs in Word for Mac

Product: Microsoft Word for Mac
Device & OS: Mac
Scenario: Attempting to review a document and track edits, but the necessary Ribbon tabs and controls are no longer visible.
Observed behavior: The Track Changes and Review controls are missing from the Microsoft Word Ribbon, despite being available previously.

Before you start

Ensure you have not recently enabled 'Focus Mode' or 'Full Screen' mode in Word, as these view settings intentionally hide the Ribbon to provide a distraction-free writing environment.

Solution 1Recommended

Adjust Window Size to Reveal Hidden Ribbon Tabs

When the Microsoft Word window is too narrow, it automatically hides certain tabs to fit the screen. Expanding the window is the easiest way to bring them back.

Microsoft Word for Mac uses a responsive Ribbon interface. If you resize your document window, tabs that no longer fit horizontally are tucked away into a dropdown menu.

Widen the Word window

Click and drag the edges of the Microsoft Word window to make it wider, or click the green maximize button in the top-left corner of the window.

Locate the double-chevron icon

Look at the far-right end of the Ribbon (usually next to the Mailings or View tab). If the window is still too narrow, you will see a double-chevron (>>) icon.

Reveal the Review tab

Click the double-chevron (>>) icon to open a dropdown menu containing all the hidden tabs, including the Review tab and its Track Changes controls.

Adjust Window Size to Reveal Hidden Ribbon Tabs

Status Bar Tracking: Even if the Review tab is hidden, you can often see if Track Changes is active by looking at the status bar at the very bottom of the Word window.

Solution 2

Enable the Review Tab in Ribbon Preferences

If your window is fully maximized but the tab is still missing, it may have been accidentally unchecked in your Ribbon customization settings.

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Experience Seamless Document Review with WPS Office for Mac

If Microsoft Word for Mac continues to give you interface issues or missing tools, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a highly compatible, free alternative with a stable interface and comprehensive document review features.

1. Download and Install WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website to download the free Mac version and drag it to your Applications folder.
2. Open your Word Document: Launch WPS Writer and open your existing .docx files directly with perfect formatting preservation.
3. Access the Review Tab: Click the 'Review' tab at the top of the interface to immediately access Track Changes, Comments, and document markup tools.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Word (.docx) formatsIntuitive Review tab with complete Track Changes functionalityFree and lightweight Office alternative designed for macOSFamiliar user interface requires zero learning curve

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why did my Review tab suddenly disappear in Word for Mac?

The most common reason is that the document window was resized to be narrower, causing Word to hide tabs to save space. It can also happen after a software update or if the Ribbon settings were accidentally customized.

Is there a keyboard shortcut to turn on Track Changes on a Mac?

Yes. If you cannot find the Review tab, you can quickly toggle Track Changes on or off by pressing Command + Shift + E on your Mac keyboard.

How can I reset my entire Ribbon back to default settings?

Go to Word > Preferences > Ribbon & Toolbar. At the bottom of the 'Customize the Ribbon' column, click the gear icon and select 'Reset all customizations'. This will restore all original tabs, including the Review tab.

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