How to Track Changes in Word: A Complete Guide

Track Changes records every edit made to a Word document, so the author can see exactly what was added, deleted or reformatted, by whom and when, and then accept or reject each change. It’s the standard way to edit contracts, papers, reports and anything reviewed by more than one person. This guide covers turning it on, reading the markup, accepting and rejecting changes, locking tracking so it can’t be turned off, comparing two versions, and seeing a document’s editing history.

Quick Answer

Click the Review tab and click Track Changes (or press Ctrl + Shift + E). The button stays highlighted while tracking is on. Edits appear in color, with insertions underlined and deletions struck through. Use Accept and Reject on the Review tab to finalize each change.

Turn On Track Changes

1. Open the document and click the Review tab.
2. Click Track Changes. In Microsoft 365, click the arrow under it and choose For Everyone or Just Mine.
3. Edit the document normally. Word marks every change.
4. Click Track Changes again to turn it off. Existing marks stay until they’re accepted or rejected.

Tip: a line in the left margin (a change bar) shows where changes are, even in Simple Markup view.

Choose How Changes Are Shown

Use the drop-down in the Tracking group:

• Simple Markup: shows the edited text cleanly, with red lines in the margin marking changed lines. Click a line to see details.
• All Markup: shows every insertion, deletion and formatting change in color, with balloons in the margin.
• No Markup: previews the document as if all changes were accepted.
• Original: shows the document before any tracked changes.

Show Markup lets you choose which kinds of changes and which reviewers to display, and whether to use balloons or show changes inline.

Accept or Reject Changes

1. Click at the start of the document, then click Next in the Changes group to jump to the first change.
2. Click Accept to keep it or Reject to undo it. Word moves to the next change.
3. To handle everything at once, click the arrow under Accept and choose Accept All Changes (or Accept All Changes and Stop Tracking), or use Reject All Changes.

You can also right-click any change and choose Accept or Reject. Before sending a final version, check that no changes remain by clicking Next; Word says there are no more.

Lock Track Changes On

To stop reviewers from turning off tracking:

1. Click the arrow under Track Changes and choose Lock Tracking.
2. Enter a password (optional) and click OK.

For stronger protection, use Review > Restrict Editing, check Allow only this type of editing, choose Tracked changes, and click Yes, Start Enforcing Protection.

Change the Name Shown on Your Edits

Tracked changes show the name in File > Options > General > Personalize your copy of Microsoft Office. Change the User name there. If you’re signed in to Microsoft 365, check Always use these values regardless of sign in to Office to use it instead of your account name.

Compare Two Versions of a Document

If someone edited without tracking changes, click Review > Compare > Compare, choose the original and revised documents, and click OK. Word creates a new document showing the differences as tracked changes.

See a Document’s Editing History

• Tracked changes: the Reviewing Pane (Review > Reviewing Pane) lists every change with the author and time.
• Version History: for files saved in OneDrive or SharePoint, click File > Info > Version History (or the file name at the top) to open or restore earlier versions.
• Unsaved versions: File > Info > Manage Document > Recover Unsaved Documents.

Related: How to recover deleted text in Word.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I remove all tracked changes?

Accept or reject them all from the Accept/Reject drop-downs. Switching to No Markup only hides them.

Why do changes still appear after I turned off Track Changes?

Turning it off stops new tracking; existing changes must be accepted or rejected.

Does Track Changes work in Word for the web and on phones?

Yes. In Word for the web, use Review > Track Changes, or switch the editing mode to Reviewing. The mobile apps also show and track changes.

Can I track changes in Google Docs?

Google Docs uses Suggesting mode instead. Tracked changes in a Word file appear as suggestions when opened in Google Docs.

Summary

1. Click Review > Track Changes (Ctrl + Shift + E).
2. Choose Simple Markup or All Markup to view edits.
3. Accept or reject each change, or all at once.
4. Lock tracking or restrict editing to keep it on.