To remove the author from a Word document, select File > Info > Check for Issues > Inspect Document, select Inspect, and then select Remove All next to Document Properties and Personal Information. This clears the author, last-modified-by name, and other hidden details in one step. To remove only the author name, right-click it under Related People on the Info page and choose Remove Person.
Word adds names in other places too, such as comments and tracked changes. The Document Inspector finds most of them. Save a copy first, because some removals can’t be undone.
Quick Answer
File > Info > Check for Issues > Inspect Document > Inspect, then Remove All for Document Properties and Personal Information. Save the file.
Method 1: Use the Document Inspector
- Save a copy of the document (File > Save a Copy or Save As).
- Select File > Info.
- Select Check for Issues > Inspect Document. Save if Word asks.
- Leave the boxes checked and select Inspect.
- Next to Document Properties and Personal Information, select Remove All.
- Also select Remove All next to Comments, Revisions, and Versions if you want to strip reviewer names. This deletes all comments and accepts all tracked changes.
- Select Close, then save the document.
Method 2: Remove or Change Just the Author
- Select File > Info.
- Under Related People, right-click the name next to Author.
- Choose Remove Person. Or choose Edit Property to type a different name, such as your company.
- Save the document.
This doesn’t change Last Modified By, which updates the next time someone saves. Use the Document Inspector to clear it.
Stop Word From Adding Your Name to New Documents
- Select File > Options > General.
- Under Personalize your copy of Microsoft Office, change the User name and Initials.
- Check Always use these values regardless of sign in to Office, then select OK.
For one file, go to File > Options > Trust Center > Trust Center Settings > Privacy Options and check Remove personal information from file properties on save (available after you run the Document Inspector).
Where Word Stores Names
| Location | How to clear it |
|---|---|
| Author and Last Modified By | Document Inspector, or Info > Related People |
| Comments and tracked changes | Document Inspector (Comments, Revisions, and Versions) |
| Headers and footers | Check manually, or Document Inspector |
| Template name and company | File > Info > Show All Properties |
| Cloud version history (OneDrive) | Save a new local copy; history isn’t copied |
To see who changed what, see how to view edit history in Word.
To edit titles and tags too, see changing document properties in Word.
Troubleshooting
- The author comes back after saving: Turn on Remove personal information from file properties on save as shown above.
- Inspect Document is grayed out: The file is read-only or in Protected View. Select Enable Editing, or save a copy.
- Names still appear on comments: Remove comments with the inspector, or resolve and delete them first. See how to manage tracked changes in Word.
Related: Change the author in Word.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this work on a Mac?
Yes. Select Review > Protect Document and check Remove personal information from this file on save, then save.
Will hidden text be removed too?
The inspector can find and remove hidden text if you check that box. Learn more about hidden text in Word.
Summary
- Save a copy first.
- Run Inspect Document and remove Document Properties and Personal Information.
- Or remove just the author under Related People.
- Change your Office user name to stop it on new files.
Kermit Matthews is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with more than a decade of experience writing technology guides. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science and has spent much of his professional career in IT management.
He specializes in writing content about iPhones, Android devices, Microsoft Office, and many other popular applications and devices.