When you receive a Word document with tracked changes, the screen can become cluttered with insertions, deletions, and comments. You want to see the final version of the document as if all changes have been accepted, but without permanently accepting them. This view is called No Markup, and it hides all revision marks while keeping the changes in the document history. This article explains how to switch to the Final showing No Markup display mode, what it does to your document, and how it differs from accepting all changes permanently.
Key Takeaways: How to Display the Final Version Without Track Changes Markup
- Review > Tracking > Display for Review > No Markup: Switches the document view to show the final version with all tracked changes hidden, without accepting them.
- Review > Tracking > Show Markup: Use this dropdown to toggle specific markup types like insertions, deletions, or formatting changes on or off while in No Markup mode.
- Printing without markup: Set Display for Review to No Markup before printing to produce a clean copy that does not show revision lines or balloons.
What No Markup Display Mode Does in Word
Word provides four display modes for reviewing tracked changes. Simple Markup shows a red vertical line in the margin to indicate changes. All Markup shows every insertion, deletion, and comment inline. Original shows the document before any tracked changes were made. No Markup shows the document as it would appear if all tracked changes were accepted, but without actually accepting them. The tracked changes remain in the document and can be viewed again by switching back to All Markup.
This mode is useful for reading the final content without distractions. You can still edit the document while in No Markup view, and any new edits will be tracked if Track Changes is turned on. However, the existing markup remains hidden until you change the view back. No Markup does not remove comments or tracked changes from the document. It only changes the visual display.
Steps to Show Final With No Markup in Word
Follow these steps to switch your document to the Final showing No Markup display mode. This works the same in Word for Microsoft 365, Word 2021, Word 2019, and Word 2016.
- Open the document that contains tracked changes
Make sure the document has at least one tracked change. You can verify this by looking for revision marks such as strikethrough text, underlines, or comment balloons. - Go to the Review tab on the Ribbon
Click the Review tab in the Ribbon at the top of the Word window. This tab contains all tools related to comments, tracking, and changes. - Locate the Tracking group
In the Review tab, find the section labeled Tracking. It contains buttons for Track Changes, Display for Review, Show Markup, and Reviewing Pane. - Click the Display for Review dropdown
The Display for Review button is in the Tracking group. It currently shows Simple Markup by default. Click the arrow next to the button to open the dropdown menu. - Select No Markup from the menu
From the dropdown list, choose No Markup. The document display immediately changes. All tracked changes disappear from view. The text appears as the final version would look if all changes were accepted. - Verify the view
Scroll through the document to confirm that no strikethroughs, underlines, or comment balloons are visible. The red vertical line in the margin should also be gone. To see the markup again, return to the same dropdown and select All Markup or Simple Markup.
Using the Keyboard Shortcut to Switch Markup Views
Word does not have a single keyboard shortcut for No Markup. However, you can cycle through the display modes using Alt+R, T, D. Press Alt to activate the Ribbon, then press R for Review, T for Tracking, and D for Display for Review. Use the arrow keys to select No Markup and press Enter.
Common Issues When Using No Markup Display Mode
No Markup Still Shows Some Markup
If you see revision marks after selecting No Markup, the document may contain comments or formatting changes that are set to always display. Go to Review > Tracking > Show Markup and uncheck Comments and Formatting. Then switch back to No Markup. If the problem persists, the document might have content controlled by a legacy add-in or a macro that forces markup display.
No Markup Is Grayed Out
The Display for Review dropdown is disabled when the document is protected for tracked changes. If the document is locked for editing, you cannot change the view. Go to Review > Protect > Restrict Editing and check if editing restrictions are turned on. If the document is password-protected, you need the password to remove restrictions.
Printing Still Shows Markup Even With No Markup Selected
Word prints what it displays. If you selected No Markup and the screen shows no markup, the printout should also be clean. However, if you have the Reviewing Pane open, some users report that Word prints the pane content. Close the Reviewing Pane before printing. Go to Review > Tracking > Reviewing Pane and select Reviewing Pane again to close it. Then print the document.
No Markup vs Accept All Changes: Key Differences
| Item | No Markup Display | Accept All Changes |
|---|---|---|
| Effect on tracked changes | Changes are hidden but remain in the document | Changes are permanently applied and removed from tracking history |
| Ability to revert | Switch back to All Markup to see changes again | Cannot revert unless you undo immediately or use version history |
| Collaboration | Other reviewers can still see changes when they open the document | Other reviewers see only the final text with no revision history |
| File size | File size remains unchanged because all revision data is preserved | File size may decrease slightly because revision data is removed |
| Print output | Prints clean final version when No Markup is selected | Always prints clean final version |
No Markup is a temporary view. Use it when you need to read or present the document without revision clutter. Use Accept All Changes only when you are ready to finalize the document and remove the tracking history permanently. You can also use Reject All Changes to return to the original text before any edits were made.