How to Turn On Track Changes in Microsoft Word Documents

To turn on Track Changes in Word for Microsoft 365 on Windows, open the document and select Review > Track Changes. Word will then mark edits made from that point forward so reviewers can see what changed. Before you start, make sure you can edit the file; changes made before tracking is enabled are not recorded retroactively.

What You’ll Need

A Microsoft Word document that you can edit. If it opens as read-only or in Protected View, enable editing or save an editable copy first.
Word for Microsoft 365, Word for the web, or a recent desktop version of Word. The button may look slightly different depending on the version and window size.
If you are working with other people, access to the location where the document is shared, such as OneDrive or SharePoint, so everyone can work from the intended copy.

Step-by-Step

Open the correct document. Start Word and open the file you want reviewed. If it came from an email or download, check its name and location so you do not turn tracking on in an older or duplicate copy. If a yellow Protected View banner appears, select Enable Editing only if you trust the file and need to make changes. A read-only file may require you to use File > Save As to create a copy you can edit.
Go to the Review tab. Select Review on the ribbon at the top of the Word window. If the ribbon is collapsed, expand it or maximize Word so the tab and its commands are visible. Track Changes is a reviewing tool, so look on Review rather than searching the Home tab’s font or paragraph controls.
Turn on Track Changes. In the Tracking area of the Review tab, select Track Changes. In Word for Microsoft 365 on Windows, selecting the main button toggles tracking on or off. In some layouts the command has a small arrow or appears as a menu; open it and select Track Changes to enable recording. When it is on, the command is usually highlighted or otherwise shown as selected. The exact appearance can vary with the ribbon layout.
Choose how you want to see edits. On the Review tab, find the display control in the Tracking area. Choose All Markup if you want to see insertions, deletions, and other tracked changes while you work. Simple Markup can show a cleaner page with indicators where changes exist, while No Markup displays the document as if changes were accepted. Choosing a display mode does not turn tracking off or remove revisions; it changes what is visible on screen.
Make a small edit and confirm it is tracked. Add a short word, or make a small change you genuinely intend to keep. With All Markup selected, Word should show the edit as a revision, often using a color or a marking in the margin. Deletions and formatting changes may appear differently from inserted text. If no mark is visible, check that Track Changes is still selected and that the display is not set to No Markup.
Keep editing with tracking on. Continue typing, deleting, or formatting as needed. Word records edits made after tracking is enabled; it does not reconstruct earlier work. Your name or initials may be associated with your revisions, based on the Office account or user information configured in Word. If several people edit the document, their revisions can be distinguished by reviewer.
Save the document. Use File > Save or press Ctrl+S on Windows. If the file is stored in OneDrive or SharePoint and AutoSave is enabled, Word may save changes automatically, but confirm that the document has finished saving before closing or sharing it. Share the same file or link with reviewers so you do not end up with separate copies containing different revisions.
Leave tracking on while collaborators edit. Track Changes is a document-level setting, so it can remain enabled when the file is closed and reopened. Tell collaborators that edits are being recorded and ask them not to switch tracking off if you need a complete review history. When the review is finished, use the Review tab’s Accept or Reject controls to deal with revisions; simply hiding markup does not resolve it.

Mac and web versions: In Word for Mac, open Review > Track Changes; the command may be a button or a menu item depending on the ribbon layout. The keyboard shortcut is Command+Shift+E on Mac, compared with Ctrl+Shift+E on Windows. In Word for the web, open the Review tab and select Track Changes. The web interface may offer different tracking and display choices from the desktop app.

Common Mistakes

Assuming the display setting controls tracking. All Markup, Simple Markup, and No Markup control how revisions appear, not whether Word records new edits. Check the Track Changes command itself when you need to know whether recording is enabled.
Turning it on after making changes. Word records changes from the time tracking is enabled. If earlier edits need to be reviewed, restore an earlier version or compare document copies; enabling Track Changes now will not mark those old edits automatically.
Thinking hidden changes were deleted. No Markup can make revisions look like ordinary final text. Before sending a document as a clean final, inspect the revisions and accept or reject them rather than relying on a display setting.
Forgetting to check the right copy. A tracked document attached to an email and a shared cloud copy can diverge. Confirm the file name and location before editing, and share the reviewed copy rather than an outdated attachment.
Expecting comments to be tracked edits. Comments are separate review notes. Track Changes records edits to the document text and formatting; use Review > New Comment when you want to ask a question or explain a proposed change without altering the text.

Tips

Agree on a review process first. Let collaborators know whether they should edit directly, add comments, or both. This makes it easier to distinguish proposed wording from questions and avoids reviewers making conflicting changes without context.
Use All Markup during review. It is the clearest view when you need to inspect every visible revision. If the page becomes crowded, you can switch temporarily to Simple Markup, then return to All Markup before deciding what to keep.
Review by person when a document has many editors. The Review tab includes options for showing markup and selecting reviewers in supported desktop versions. Filtering can make a busy document easier to inspect, but hidden reviewers’ changes remain in the file until you accept or reject them.
Save a separate copy before final cleanup. Keeping a review copy preserves the marked-up version for reference. In the final copy, examine each change and use the Review tab’s Accept or Reject commands deliberately; accepting all changes without checking can keep edits you did not intend to approve.
Use the shortcut only when you can verify the state. Ctrl+Shift+E on Windows and Command+Shift+E on Mac toggle tracking, which means using the shortcut again can turn it off. Check the Review tab after pressing it rather than assuming it always enables tracking.

Troubleshooting

The Track Changes button is missing. Select the Review tab and expand the ribbon if it is collapsed. On a narrow window, some commands may be grouped under a menu or hidden in an overflow control. Maximize Word or open the relevant group to find the command.
The button does not appear to switch on. Select it once, then check whether it is highlighted or selected. If you are unsure, make a small test edit in a copy of the document and look for markup with All Markup selected. If the file is read-only, protected, or opened in a mode that prevents editing, first obtain permission or save an editable copy.
Edits look unmarked even though tracking is on. Change the display to Review > All Markup and check the markup options for items such as insertions, deletions, or formatting. No Markup can conceal revisions from the page view. Also check whether the change was made before tracking was enabled; earlier edits will not gain marks retroactively.
Track Changes seems to turn off for someone else. Confirm that collaborators are editing the same shared file and ask them to check the Review tab before editing. Some Word versions provide a Lock Tracking option in the Track Changes menu, sometimes with a password. This can discourage others from switching tracking off, but it is not a substitute for sharing appropriate permissions or agreeing on a workflow. Avoid locking tracking unless you understand how it will be unlocked.
The document opens read-only or changes will not save. Check for a Protected View banner, a read-only label, or a permission message. If you are allowed to edit, enable editing or use File > Save As to create a writable copy. For a shared cloud file, ask its owner to grant editing access. Save and reopen the correct copy to confirm that your revisions remain.
Word for Mac or the web looks different. The Review tab and tracking command are still the place to start, but ribbon layout and available controls vary. Update the app if appropriate, expand the ribbon, or use Word desktop if you need a review option that is not available in the web version.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Track Changes save edits automatically?

It records edits in the document as you make them, but you still need to save the file. Press Ctrl+S on Windows or Command+S on Mac, unless AutoSave is handling the save, and confirm the file is saved before closing it.

Can I turn on Track Changes after editing the document?

Yes, but only edits made after you enable it will be recorded as tracked revisions. For changes made earlier, use version history or compare an earlier and current copy if those differences need to be identified.

How do I know whether Track Changes is on?

Look for a selected or highlighted Track Changes command on the Review tab. To verify the result, choose All Markup and make a small edit in a test copy; Word should display it as a revision.

Does Track Changes work for everyone editing a shared file?

It can record edits by multiple reviewers in a shared document, provided they edit the same file and tracking remains enabled. Ask collaborators to confirm the setting and use the shared link rather than making separate copies.

Can I hide tracked changes without accepting them?

Yes. Choose No Markup or another display mode to change how revisions appear, but the changes remain in the document. To resolve them, review each revision and accept or reject it.

What is the Track Changes keyboard shortcut?

In Word for Windows, press Ctrl+Shift+E. On Mac, press Command+Shift+E. The shortcut toggles the feature, so check the Review tab afterward to confirm whether tracking is on or off.

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Sources: Function behaviour and menu paths: Microsoft Support documentation for Excel. Method & sources

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