Review Tools in Microsoft Word

Review Tools in Microsoft Word

Microsoft Word provides robust review tools to help you collaborate effectively on documents. These features include comments, suggestions, and options to compare and combine documents.

1. Comments and Suggestions for Collaboration

Add Comments

Comments allow collaborators to leave notes or feedback on specific parts of the document.

1. Highlight the text, image, or object you want to comment on.

2. Go to the Review tab and click New Comment.

3. Type your feedback in the comment bubble that appears in the margin.

Edit or Delete Comments

1. Click on a comment to edit it directly.

2. To delete a comment:

   • Right-click the comment bubble and select Delete Comment, or

   • Use Delete in the Review tab.

View Comments

1. Click Show Comments in the Review tab to toggle visibility.

2. Navigate through comments using the Previous or Next buttons.

Suggestions (Track Changes)

Track Changes records edits made to a document, allowing reviewers to suggest changes instead of directly modifying the content.

1. Enable Track Changes:

   • Go to Review > Track Changes and toggle it on.

2. Make edits:

   • Insertions are underlined, and deletions are struck through.

   • Marginal marks indicate formatting changes.

3. Review Changes:

   • Use the Next and Previous buttons to navigate edits.

   • Accept or reject changes with the Accept or Reject options.

2. Compare and Combine Documents

Compare Documents

This feature highlights differences between two versions of a document, ideal for spotting changes.

1. Go to Review > Compare.

2. Select Compare Two Versions of a Document (Legal Blackline).

3. Choose the original document and the revised version.

4. Click OK to see a side-by-side comparison with changes highlighted.

Combine Documents

Combining documents merges edits from multiple reviewers into one file.

1. Go to Review > Compare > Combine.

2. Select the original document and the document with changes.

3. Customize settings for how revisions are displayed.

4. Click OK to see a merged document with edits and comments from all reviewers.

Pro Tips for Collaboration

• Use Document Protection: Limit changes by enabling Restrict Editing (Review tab).

• Save with Version History: Use File > Save As or cloud storage like OneDrive to keep track of versions.

• Share Directly: Share your document via File > Share for real-time collaboration in Word Online.