How to Track Changes in Word (2026)
Track Changes records every insertion, deletion, and formatting tweak so collaborators can see exactly what changed and accept or reject each edit. Turning it on is one click — the useful parts are controlling how the markup looks and stopping reviewers from sneakily turning it off.
1. Turn On Track Changes (Windows & Mac)
- Go to the Review tab.
- Click Track Changes (the button stays highlighted while it’s on).
- Make your edits — insertions appear underlined and colored, deletions show as strikethrough or in the margin.
Shortcut: Ctrl+Shift+E (Windows) toggles tracking on and off.
2. Turn On Track Changes (Word for the Web)
- Open the Review tab.
- Click Track Changes and choose For Everyone or Just Mine.
The web app records and displays markup, though some advanced options live only in the desktop app.
3. Control How Markup Displays
On the Review tab, the Display for Review dropdown controls what you see:
- All Markup — every change shown inline.
- Simple Markup — a clean view with a red bar in the margin marking changed lines.
- No Markup — shows the document as if all changes were accepted (changes are still tracked).
- Original — shows the document before any edits.
Use Show Markup to toggle specific types (Comments, Insertions and Deletions, Formatting).
4. Lock Track Changes with a Password
To stop reviewers from turning tracking off:
- Review > Track Changes dropdown > Lock Tracking.
- Enter and confirm a password.
- Click OK.
Tracking now can’t be disabled without the password. Repeat and re-enter it to unlock.
5. Show Changes by Reviewer
Review > Show Markup > Specific People lets you display edits from one reviewer at a time — handy when several people have marked up the same file.
6. Troubleshooting
Track Changes is greyed out
The document is protected or tracking is locked. Review > Restrict Editing > Stop Protection, or unlock tracking with its password.
Changes aren’t being recorded
Tracking is off. Confirm the Track Changes button is highlighted on the Review tab.
I see edits but want a clean copy
Set Display for Review to No Markup for viewing, or accept all changes for a permanent clean version — see how to accept all changes.
Markup shows in print
Set Display for Review to No Markup before printing, or print without markup via the print settings.
Related Word guides: How to accept all changes · How to add comments · How to compare two documents · How to add a watermark · How to insert a signature
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