Tracking edits does not work

Question

Tracking edits does not work

Jurek Kolasa 0

My Word fails to track the changes I need to make to help another author. I followed all the instructions on this site but got no results. I've used tracking in the past.

Stefan Blom 357.3K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator

2026-11-07T17:42:04.63+00:00

My Word fails to track the changes I need to make to help another author. I followed all the instructions on this site but got no results. I've used tracking in the past.

Could you clarify which symptoms you see? For example, is the problem specifically with your edits / changes (and not with other editors that work in the same document)?

Did you verify that the settings for Track Changes are the ones you want (in the Advanced Track Changes Options dialog box)?

4 answers

Your answer

Stefan Blom 357.3K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator

2026-11-07T17:42:04.63+00:00

My Word fails to track the changes I need to make to help another author. I followed all the instructions on this site but got no results. I've used tracking in the past.

Could you clarify which symptoms you see? For example, is the problem specifically with your edits / changes (and not with other editors that work in the same document)?

Did you verify that the settings for Track Changes are the ones you want (in the Advanced Track Changes Options dialog box)?

Answer 1

Check Review > Show Markup > Specific People > All Reviewers first, because reviewer filtering remains the most likely untested display setting after enabling All Markup, insertions/deletions, and removing protection.

1. Distinguish hidden revisions from unrecorded revisions

Open Review > Show Markup > Specific People.
Select All Reviewers. Word can filter markup by reviewer even when All Markup and Insertions and Deletions are selected.^1^
Select Review > Reviewing Pane > Reviewing Pane Vertical.
Make a distinctive test edit, such as adding TRACKING TEST.

Check the result:

The Reviewing Pane count increases: Word recorded the edit, but its display is filtered or configured differently. With All Reviewers selected, try Review > Show Markup > Balloons > Show All Revisions Inline. If using balloons instead, switch to View > Print Layout, because balloons require Print Layout or Web Layout.^1^
The count does not increase: Word did not record the edit. Continue below.

2. Confirm tracking remains enabled

Right-click Word’s status bar and select Track Changes to display its current state. Then choose:

Review > Tracking > Track Changes > For Everyone

The Track Changes control should remain highlighted while editing. Word also supports Just Mine, but For Everyone removes ambiguity when testing a document shared by another author.^1^

If the control switches itself off, avoid pressing Ctrl+Shift+E while editing; that shortcut toggles Track Changes.^2^

3. Test whether an add-in or template is interfering

Since the markup and protection settings have already been checked, test Word without automatically loaded add-ins:

Close Word.
Press Windows+R.
Enter:

winword /safe

Open the document, enable Track Changes > For Everyone, and make another test edit.

If tracking works in Safe Mode:

Restart Word normally.
Open File > Options > Add-ins.
At the bottom, set Manage to COM Add-ins, then select Go.
Disable one add-in, restart Word, and retest.
Repeat until the interfering add-in is identified.

Safe Mode prevents additional features and programs from loading automatically, making it suitable for isolating add-in interference.^3^

If necessary, use the stronger diagnostic startup command below; it prevents add-ins and global templates from loading:

winword /a

Microsoft documents this switch specifically for troubleshooting Word startup and usage problems.^4^

4. Determine whether the problem is document-specific

Create a blank document and test Track Changes there.

It works in the blank document: the original document or its attached template is the affected scope. Save a separate copy before moving content or making structural changes.
It fails in every document, including Safe Mode or /a: repair Microsoft 365.

On Windows 11, go to Start > Installed apps > Microsoft 365 > … > Modify. On Windows 10, use Start > Apps and Features > Microsoft 365 > Modify. Select Online Repair > Repair; this repairs the entire Office suite and may require a restart.^5^

References

Answer 2

Julie Huynh 4,350 Independent Advisor

Dear @Jurek Kolasa ,

Good day! Welcome to Microsoft Q&A forum!

Based on your description, I understand that your Word fails to track the changes. To better assist you, could you please provide the following information:

To reconfirm, what type of account do you use? Is it from your school, as suggested by the question tag?
Could you provide more details about how Word fails to track changes?
Does this error occur in a single file or in multiple files?
Do others who have access to that problematic file experience the same issue as you?
Are you using your own personal computer, or someone else's? Do you encounter the issue again when switching devices?
Does the issue occur when you use the Word web app?
When you enable the "Track changes (For everyone)" feature, does "Reviewing" appear in the top-right corner?
Have you tried repairing the app? You can refer this article to repair an Office application.

Any updates you’re able to share would be really helpful.

I'm here and happy to help! Thank you for your kindness and patience!

Jurek Kolasa 0 Reputation points

2026-11-07T18:03:46.7333333+00:00

The problem was never pinpointed but various restarts and copying the text to the new Word document revived tracking, except that insertions show up in color while deletes appear in the side bar despite explicit choice of both remainiig in the main text as different colors.
Jurek Kolasa 0 Reputation points

2026-11-07T18:09:44.41+00:00

Hi, yes, it is McMaster University. I work from home but used McMaster licensed Office. Now, the only issue is that Word put deleted text outside the main text instead marking it in red but reteining in place. The computer I use was in my office for five years. I moved it home to make it easier to work off hours.

does "Reviewing" appear in the top-right corner? NO.

Have you tried repairing the app? I do not know how to repair an app that appears to work in other respects correctly.

Answer 3

Stefan Blom 357.3K MVP Volunteer Moderator

Now, the only issue is that Word put deleted text outside the main text instead marking it in red but reteining in place.

Make sure that you choose to display markup in balloons (as opposed to in line). On the Review tab, find Show Markup (in the Markup group), click Balloons, and then click Show Revisions in Balloons.

The instructions above assume that you are using the full version of Word (Office) under Windows.

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Answer 4

Jurek Kolasa 0

I said no but the answer is more complex. Before I tried the answer, I had repaired Office 365. Then, when I reloaded the poor document, I clicked on Balloons and nothing happened. After turning balloons off, the tracking edits returned to what I know for 10-20 years. I wished things work better, not worse. I wasted at least two hours trying various solutions. Suddenly it works, :)

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