How to Enable the Track Changes Feature in Microsoft Word to Keep Track of Edits

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By lee-lee
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Track Changes Symbol

Need to keep track of the changes you are making in a document? Using the "Track Changes" feature in Microsoft Word is easy, easy, easy. Read below for directions.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Step 1

Open a Microsoft Word document on your computer screen. On the line of words at the top of your screen (File, Edit, View, Insert, Format, Tools, Table, Window, Help), click on the word "Tools." A drop-down menu will appear under the word "Tools."
Step 2

Click on the 8th entry on the drop-down menu, on the words "Track Changes." Start editing your document. You'll notice that words/letters/symbols you delete will appear on the side of your document - words/letters/symbols you add will be in a different color in the body of the document.
Step 3

Changing any edits you've made is very easy. If you've deleted words and want to add them back, move your cursor to the side of the document that shows the deletions you've made and click on the deleted words you want to add back in. Another drop-down menu will appear that gives you options to either "accept deletion" or "reject deletion." If you click on "reject deletion," the copy will move right back to the spot where it was deleted. If you decide you don't like the word(s) you've inserted, simply move your cursor to those words and click -- the drop-down menu will allow you to choose to "accept insertion" or "reject insertion." If you choose "reject insertion," the copy will be removed and no evidence of your edits will remain in the copy.
Step 4

Finalizing copy: When your document has been reviewed and is ready to be converted into final form, the tracked changes will need to be removed. To do this, go to the top of the document again, to the line of symbols under the words "File, Edit, etc." There are two symbols with blue arrows, and one with a blue checkmark. Move your cursor to the blue checkmark, and click on the little black arrow next to it. A small drop-down menu will appear -- click on the words "Accept all changes in document." All changes will disappear on your document. Then move to the open window to the left of the arrows on the same symbol line --- to the window that says "Final Showing Markup." Click on the little black arrow on the right of those words and choose the word "Final" on the drop-down menu. The final document is ready to print.