How to Convert Word Tracked Changes to a PDF with Markup Visible
Question details
The user needs to convert a Word document to a PDF file while ensuring all tracked changes, comments, and document markup remain visible in the final output.
- Product
- Microsoft Word / Adobe Acrobat
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Converting a reviewed Word document to PDF to share with clients or colleagues while preserving the visible edit history and review comments.
- Observed behavior
- Tracked changes and markup are missing or inconsistently displayed in the resulting PDF when using Acrobat Pro or the standard 'Save As' conversion methods.
Ensure that 'Show Markup' is enabled in your Word document and set to 'All Markup' so that all tracked changes and comments are visibly displayed on your screen before you attempt the conversion.
Use the Print to PDF Feature in Microsoft Word
Bypassing the standard save or Acrobat add-in options and using Word's built-in Print function is the most reliable workaround to preserve visible markup.
Depending on the version of Microsoft Word, standard export options might strip out document revisions to provide a clean PDF. The 'Print to PDF' method tricks the software into printing exactly what is displayed on your screen, including all tracked changes and side comments.
Navigate to the 'Review' tab in Microsoft Word, locate the Tracking group, and ensure 'All Markup' is selected.
Go to 'File' in the top-left corner and select 'Print' from the left-hand menu pane.
Under the Printer drop-down menu, select 'Microsoft Print to PDF' or 'Adobe PDF' if you have Acrobat installed.
Click on the first drop-down under 'Settings' (usually labeled 'Print All Pages'). Look at the bottom of this list and verify that 'Print Markup' has a checkmark next to it.
Click the large 'Print' button. You will be prompted to choose a destination folder and name your new PDF file.
Convert Using the Acrobat PDFMaker Plug-in
If you have Adobe Acrobat installed, you can configure its dedicated Word ribbon tab to export the document with markup included.
Export Word Documents to PDF with Tracked Changes Using WPS Office
WPS Office provides a highly reliable, built-in PDF export feature that natively allows you to include tracked changes and comments without relying on complex print settings or third-party plugins like Adobe Acrobat.
- 1. Open your Document in WPS: Launch WPS Writer and open your existing .doc or .docx file containing the tracked changes.
- 2. Display Tracked Changes: Navigate to the 'Review' tab and ensure your document is set to show revisions.
- 3. Export to PDF: Go to the 'Menu' button at the top left and select 'Export to PDF'.
- 4. Configure Export Settings: In the export dialog window, ensure the option to include comments or revisions is checked, then click 'Export'.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are my tracked changes not showing in the exported PDF?
This usually happens because the 'Print Markup' or specific export comment setting is disabled during the conversion process. Ensure that 'All Markup' is visible in your document editor and that your printer or PDF export settings are configured to include document markup.
Can I hide some tracked changes but keep others when converting to PDF?
Yes. Before converting to PDF, use the 'Show Markup' dropdown menu in the Review tab to select specific types of changes (e.g., formatting only) or specific reviewers. Only the markup currently visible on your screen will be exported to the PDF when using the Print to PDF method.
Does 'Save As PDF' work for preserving tracked changes in older Word versions?
Using the standard 'Save As' function and choosing PDF can sometimes omit tracked changes depending on your exact version of Office. Using the 'Print to PDF' method with 'Print Markup' enabled is generally recognized as the most reliable workaround across all versions.
