How to Track Changes in Microsoft Word Without Viewing Them

When you're working with tracked changes in a Microsoft Word document, it can sometimes be confusing to see all the marks on screen. But you can actually turn the display of marks off and still track the changes. This is helpful when you want others to see the changes you've made later, but you don't want to be distracted as you work. You can also turn off the marks in a printed document.

Difficulty: Moderately challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Microsoft Word

Turn Off Screen Marks

1. Go to the Tools menu and select Track Changes.

2. Click Highlight Changes.

3. Deselect the Highlight Changes On Screen checkbox and click OK.

4. View changes at a later time by selecting Highlight Changes On Screen.

Turn Off Marks for Printing

5. Go to the Tools Menu and select Highlight Changes.

6. Deselect the Highlight Changes in Printed Document checkbox and click OK.

Tips & Warnings

• Keep the Track Changes While Editing box checked - then, when you turn the display of marks back on, your new changes will appear as well.
• When you turn the marks off, the document appears as if all changes were accepted (deletions and additions).