Word: Track changes - how it works
If several people edit a Word document, the "Track changes" function is extremely helpful. We show you how it works and what you should consider.
Track changes in MS Word
- Open the document and go to the Review tab at the top.
- Now click on the "Track changes" button under the "Tracking" category.
- You will now see all the edits in the text. Changes are marked by red lines on the left side of the text of the affected area. A speech bubble is displayed where a user has left a comment.
- If you click on a red line or a speech bubble, these are displayed.
- You can also switch from the Simple Markup option to Markup All so that any change is reflected immediately.
Track changes more closely
If you want to track the changes more closely, you have to edit the settings. To do this, click on the small button with the arrow in the "Tracking" category in the "Right" tab on the "Review" tab.
Lock track of changes in Word
You can lock the function with a password so that nobody can deactivate the tracking of the changes.
- To do this, do not click on the "Track changes" button as described in the first paragraph, but on the button of the same name underneath.
- Select "Block tracking" here.
In another practical tip, we will explain how to secure a Word document with a password.