Office Settings & Configuration

Which Microsoft Office Versions Support the Modern Comments Setting?

Aamir Naveed Akram Oct 20, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user wants to know which versions of Microsoft Office include the modern comments setting, specifically the ability to enable or disable it.

Which Microsoft Office Versions Support the Modern Comments Setting?

Product: Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Checking for the modern comments feature in Office applications to manage document collaboration and feedback workflows.
Observed behavior: The modern comments setting is missing, unsupported, or unavailable to be toggled in one-time-purchase versions like Office 2019 and Office 2021.

Before you start

Check your current Microsoft Office version to confirm whether you are using a subscription-based Microsoft 365 plan or a one-time-purchase license like Office 2019.

Solution 1Recommended

Identify Your Office Version to Confirm Modern Comments Support

Determine if your current installation is Microsoft 365, which supports modern comments, or a one-time purchase like Office 2019 or 2021.

The modern comments setting is primarily a feature of Microsoft 365 and supported subscription-based Office applications. One-time-purchase versions, such as Office 2019 and Office 2021, often lack the toggle to disable or enable modern comments because they do not receive ongoing feature updates.

Open your Office application

Launch any Microsoft Office application, such as Word, Excel, or PowerPoint, and open a blank document.

Access the File menu

Click on 'File' located in the top-left corner of the ribbon menu.

Navigate to Account settings

Select 'Account' (or 'Help' in older versions) from the bottom of the left-hand navigation pane.

Check your Product Information

Look under the 'Product Information' section on the right side of the screen. Here you will see if your version is labeled as Microsoft 365, Office 2019, or Office 2021.

Identify Your Office Version to Confirm Modern Comments Support

Version Limitations: If your product information displays Office 2019 or Office 2021, your version of the software likely does not support the modern comments setting toggle.

Solution 2

Update Microsoft 365 to Access the Modern Comments Toggle

If you have a Microsoft 365 subscription but still cannot find the modern comments setting, you may need to install the latest software updates.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Use WPS Office for Seamless and Accessible Document Collaboration

If your current version of Microsoft Office does not support the commenting features you need, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides robust, easy-to-use commenting and collaboration tools completely free of charge, eliminating the confusion of version-locked settings.

1. Download and install: Download WPS Office for free from the official website and install it on your computer.
2. Open your documents: Open your existing Word document, Excel spreadsheet, or PowerPoint presentation directly in WPS Office.
3. Start collaborating: Navigate to the 'Review' tab on the top ribbon to immediately start using the intuitive commenting and tracking tools.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint file formats.Easily add, reply to, and manage document comments without subscription barriers or version limitations.Lightweight design ensures incredibly smooth performance on Windows, Mac, and Linux.Familiar, intuitive user interface requires zero learning curve for transitioning users.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get modern comments in Office 2019?

No, modern comments are a feature introduced primarily for Microsoft 365 subscribers. Office 2019 is a one-time-purchase version and does not receive new feature updates like the modern comments experience.

How do I turn off modern comments in Microsoft 365?

In Microsoft 365, you can turn off modern comments by going to File > Options > General, scrolling down to the User Interface options, and unchecking the 'Enable modern comments' box. You must restart the application for the changes to take effect.

Why did my comments suddenly change appearance in Word?

If you are using Microsoft 365, your application likely received an automatic background update that enabled the modern comments experience by default, moving the comments to the right side of the screen or into a dedicated pane.

Will Office 2021 ever support disabling modern comments?

Office 2021 is a static release, meaning it does not receive new feature updates over time. Because the toggle for modern comments was not included in its base launch, it will not be added in future standard updates.

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