PDF Editing Issues

Adobe Acrobat Editing Tools vs. Microsoft Word Track Changes for Manuscripts

Jason Miller Oct 22, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user wants to understand the differences between Adobe Acrobat editing tools and Microsoft Word Track Changes to determine the best software for editing client manuscripts.

Adobe Acrobat Editing Tools vs. Microsoft Word Track Changes for Manuscripts

Product: Adobe Acrobat and Microsoft Word
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Choosing the appropriate software for editing client manuscripts, reviewing business documents, and tracking text revisions.
Observed behavior: The user requires a clear comparison of features to decide whether to use PDF editing tools or word processor track changes for professional document workflows.

Before you start

Identify the file format of the document you received from your client (.pdf or .docx) and confirm whether they require a specific format for the final delivered manuscript before beginning your edits.

Solution 1Recommended

Use Microsoft Word Track Changes for Manuscript Editing

Microsoft Word is the industry standard for manuscript editing due to its robust Track Changes workflow, allowing authors to easily accept or reject revisions.

Track Changes is specifically designed for collaborative editing. It preserves the original text while visibly marking additions, deletions, and formatting changes.

Open the Document

Launch Microsoft Word and open your client's manuscript document (.docx).

Enable Track Changes

Navigate to the 'Review' tab on the top ribbon and click on 'Track Changes' to turn it on. All subsequent edits will now be highlighted in a different color and attributed to you.

Add Comments

Highlight specific text and click the 'New Comment' button in the Review tab to leave contextual feedback or questions for the author without altering the manuscript text.

Use Microsoft Word Track Changes for Manuscript Editing

Industry Standard: Using Track Changes ensures maximum compatibility with publishers and editors who rely on the .docx format for manuscript refinement.

Solution 2

Use Adobe Acrobat Editing Tools for Finalized PDFs

Adobe Acrobat is best utilized for making minor text adjustments or adding markup annotations on finalized PDF documents rather than heavy manuscript editing.

All-in-One Office Suite

Edit Manuscripts and PDFs Seamlessly with WPS Office

WPS Office provides an all-in-one suite that includes WPS Writer for robust Track Changes functionality and WPS PDF for advanced PDF editing, allowing you to manage all client manuscripts in one unified application.

1. Download and Install: Download and install WPS Office from the official website to access both Writer and PDF tools.
2. Track Changes in WPS Writer: To edit a manuscript, open the .docx file in WPS Writer, navigate to the 'Review' tab, and click 'Track Changes' to start logging your revisions.
3. Edit and Annotate PDFs: To review a PDF, open the file in WPS PDF, go to the 'Edit' tab to modify text directly, or use the 'Comment' tab to add highlights and sticky notes.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Word (.docx) and Adobe PDF formats.Built-in Track Changes feature identical to Microsoft Word workflows.Advanced PDF editing tools to modify text, images, and add annotations.Lightweight, fast, and free to download for Windows, Mac, and mobile.

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I track changes in a PDF file like I do in Word?

While Adobe Acrobat offers commenting and markup tools (like strikethrough and highlight), it does not have a native 'Track Changes' feature that allows an author to seamlessly accept or reject edits. Word processors like Microsoft Word or WPS Writer are better suited for this workflow.

What is the difference between Adobe Document Cloud and Adobe Acrobat?

Adobe Acrobat is the desktop application used to view, create, and edit PDF files. Adobe Document Cloud is the online storage and service ecosystem that connects Acrobat across your devices and provides web-based PDF processing tools.

Should I edit my client's manuscript as a PDF or Word document?

It is highly recommended to edit manuscripts as Word documents (.docx) using the Track Changes feature. This allows the original author to review, accept, or reject each edit individually, which is the standard practice in the publishing and editing industry.

PDF Troubleshooting