How to Turn On Track Changes in Word

You need to show edits made to a document so reviewers can see what changed. Track Changes is the built-in Word feature that marks every insertion, deletion, and formatting modification. This article explains how to enable and disable Track Changes, how to customize its appearance, and how to avoid common setup mistakes.

Overview of the Track Changes Feature

Track Changes is a revision-tracking system built into Word. When enabled, every edit you make — typing new text, deleting words, changing formatting, moving paragraphs — is recorded with a colored marker and a comment balloon in the margin. The original document content is preserved so reviewers can accept or reject each change.

Before you turn on Track Changes, confirm your document is saved. Track Changes works on .docx, .doc, .dotx, and .dot files. It does not work on .txt or .rtf files. If you share the document via email or a cloud service, the tracked edits travel with the file — no special export is needed.

Track Changes is available in Word for Microsoft 365, Word 2021, Word 2019, Word 2016, and Word for the web. The interface is nearly identical across versions. The feature is also present in Word for Mac, but the menu paths differ slightly.

Steps to Turn On Track Changes in Word

You can enable Track Changes using the Ribbon, a keyboard shortcut, or the status bar. Each method produces the same result. Choose the method that fits your workflow.

Method 1: Using the Review Tab

1. Open the Review tab
   Click the Review tab on the Ribbon at the top of the Word window. The tab is between the Mailings and View tabs.
2. Find the Tracking group
   Look for the Tracking section on the left side of the Review tab. It contains the Track Changes button, a drop-down arrow, and the Reviewing Pane button.
3. Click the Track Changes button
   Click the Track Changes button. It is a large icon with a pencil and a document. When Track Changes is on, the button appears highlighted or shaded. A status indicator on the button shows “Track Changes: On.”
4. Verify the feature is active
   Type a word or delete a character. A colored insertion or deletion marker should appear. The color depends on your user name and the Track Changes Options settings.

Method 2: Using the Keyboard Shortcut

1. Press Ctrl+Shift+E
   Press and hold the Ctrl key, then press Shift and E simultaneously. Release all keys. This toggles Track Changes on or off.
2. Check the status bar
   Look at the bottom of the Word window. The status bar shows “Track Changes: On” or “Track Changes: Off” when the feature is toggled. If the status bar does not show this indicator, right-click the status bar and enable “Track Changes.”

Method 3: Using the Status Bar

1. Locate the Track Changes indicator on the status bar
   At the bottom of the Word window, find the text that says “Track Changes: Off” or “Track Changes: On.” If you do not see this text, right-click the status bar and check the “Track Changes” item in the list.
2. Click the indicator
   Click the text to toggle Track Changes on or off. The text updates immediately to reflect the new state.

Common Mistakes, Limitations, and Things to Avoid

Track Changes Turns Off Automatically

If you close and reopen a document, Track Changes remains in its previous state — it does not reset. However, if you open a document from a shared location like SharePoint or OneDrive and another user has changed the file, Word may prompt you to resolve conflicts. Track Changes stays on unless you manually turn it off.

Changes Not Being Marked

If you edit a document and no marks appear, Track Changes is off. Click the Track Changes button on the Review tab or press Ctrl+Shift+E. Also check that the document is not in Read-Only mode. A read-only document blocks edits, so Track Changes cannot record them.

Track Changes Is Grayed Out

If the Track Changes button is grayed out, the document is likely protected. Go to Review > Restrict Editing and click Stop Protection. If a password is required, enter it. After protection is removed, Track Changes becomes available.

Changes Appear in the Wrong Color

Word assigns a different color to each reviewer. To change your color, go to Review > Track Changes drop-down arrow > Change Tracking Options. Under “Color,” select a specific color or choose “By author” to let Word assign a color automatically. Changes made by the same author always appear in the same color within one session.

Balloons Hide Changes in the Margin

By default, deletions and formatting changes appear as balloons in the right margin. If you prefer to see all changes inline, go to Review > Show Markup > Balloons > Show All Revisions Inline. To revert, choose Show Revisions in Balloons.

Track Changes On vs Off: Key Differences

Item	Track Changes On	Track Changes Off
Edits recorded	All insertions, deletions, formatting, and moves are marked	No edits are recorded or displayed
Visual feedback	Colored text, strikethrough deletions, and margin balloons appear	No visual feedback for changes
Original content preserved	Original text remains visible until accepted or rejected	Original text is overwritten immediately
Reviewing pane	Can show a summary of all changes	Reviewing pane is empty or unavailable
File size impact	Slightly larger because revision data is stored	No revision data stored

You can now enable Track Changes using the Review tab, the Ctrl+Shift+E shortcut, or the status bar. After turning it on, test by typing a few characters to confirm marks appear. For advanced control, open the Track Changes Options dialog from the drop-down arrow next to the Track Changes button to adjust colors, balloon behavior, and which types of changes are tracked. Always save the document before sharing it with reviewers who need to see the revision history.