To anonymize comments in Word, remove the personal information saved with the document. Go to File > Info > Check for Issues > Inspect Document, check Document Properties and Personal Information, click Inspect, then Remove All next to it (leave Comments alone if you want to keep them). Save the file, and the names on existing comments change to Author. To comment anonymously from the start, change your user name in Word’s options first.
Quick Answer
File > Info > Check for Issues > Inspect Document > Document Properties and Personal Information > Remove All > save.
Method 1: Remove Names From Existing Comments
- Save a copy of the document first, since this can’t be undone after you save.
- Click File > Info > Check for Issues > Inspect Document.
- Check Document Properties and Personal Information. Uncheck Comments, Revisions, and Versions unless you want to delete the comments themselves.
- Click Inspect, then Remove All next to Document Properties and Personal Information.
- Close the inspector and save. Comment authors show as “Author”.
Word also turns on Remove personal information from file properties on save (File > Options > Trust Center > Trust Center Settings > Privacy Options), so future comments in that file stay anonymous.
Method 2: Comment Under a Different Name
- Go to File > Options > General.
- Under Personalize your copy of Microsoft Office, change User name and Initials (for example, “Reviewer 1”).
- Check Always use these values regardless of sign in to Office, then click OK.
- Add your comments. Change the name back when you’re done.
Options Compared
| Method | Affects | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Document Inspector | All existing comments in the file | Replaces names with “Author” |
| Change user name | New comments you add | Must be set before commenting |
| Delete comments | Removes comments entirely | Review > Delete > Delete All Comments |
Troubleshooting
- Names still show: Save, close and reopen the file. In shared cloud documents, names may come from your account, and co-authoring may override the setting.
- Tracked changes still show names: Same fix: Document Inspector removes names from revisions too.
- Want to see who changed what first? See viewing edit history in Word.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I undo anonymizing?
Not after saving. Keep an original copy.
Does this work in Word for Mac?
Yes. Use Review > Protect > Protect Document > Remove personal information from this file on save, or change your name in Word > Preferences > User Information.
Summary
- Save a backup copy.
- Inspect Document and remove personal information.
- Save; comment authors become “Author”.
- Or change your user name before commenting.
Kermit Matthews runs Live2Tech from just outside Philadelphia. He is an IT specialist with over 20 years of experience, from a university help desk to small-business IT, IT management and his own consulting practice, and has written tech guides full time since 2020. Steps are checked against the current software on a real device or the maker’s official documentation. More about Kermit.