Why Word Track Changes Markup Disappears When Sharing via OneDrive Link

You share a Word document via a OneDrive link, and the recipient sees the final text without any tracked changes, insertions, deletions, or comments. This happens because OneDrive link sharing defaults to opening the document in a browser-based viewer that applies the Simple Markup view, which hides all markup unless the recipient knows how to switch views. This article explains why the markup disappears, how to force the document to open in Word Desktop or Word for the web with full markup visible, and what settings to check before sharing.

Why Track Changes Markup Disappears in OneDrive Shared Documents

When you share a Word document through a OneDrive link, the recipient opens it in Word for the web by default. Word for the web opens documents in Simple Markup view. This view shows only a red vertical line in the margin to indicate changes but hides all inserted text, deleted text, and formatting changes.

The root cause is not data loss. The markup still exists in the document file. The viewer simply does not display it until the recipient switches to All Markup view. Word for the web applies Simple Markup as a default to reduce visual clutter, which is helpful for reading but confusing when you intend to share a document for review.

A second cause occurs when the OneDrive link permission is set to Can view instead of Can edit. Word for the web restricts markup visibility for view-only users. Even if the recipient switches to All Markup, they will not see tracked changes or comments without edit access.

A third cause is the Remove personal information from file properties on save setting in Word. When this option is enabled, Word strips author metadata from tracked changes and comments on save. After the document is saved to OneDrive, the markup appears as anonymous changes, or in some cases, the markup is removed entirely.

How to Make Track Changes Visible in a OneDrive Shared Document

Use these methods to ensure recipients see all markup when you share a Word document via OneDrive.

Method 1: Instruct Recipients to Switch to All Markup View

This is the fastest fix when the recipient is already viewing the document in Word for the web.

1. Open the document from the OneDrive link
   The document opens in Word for the web in Simple Markup view by default.
2. Click the Review tab on the ribbon
   This tab contains the tracking and markup controls.
3. Click the Display for Review button
   It shows a dropdown with options: Simple Markup, All Markup, No Markup, and Original.
4. Select All Markup
   All tracked insertions, deletions, and formatting changes become visible in the document body.

Method 2: Change the OneDrive Link Permission to Can Edit

If the recipient cannot switch views or sees no markup at all, check the link permission.

1. Open OneDrive in your browser
   Navigate to the folder containing the document.
2. Right-click the document and select Share
   The Share dialog opens.
3. Click the link settings gear icon
   This opens the link permissions panel.
4. Under “Other settings,” select “Can edit”
   If the option is grayed out, your organization may restrict edit access for external sharing.
5. Click Apply and then Send or Copy Link
   Recipients with the new link can now see tracked changes and comments.

Method 3: Disable the “Remove personal information” Setting Before Saving

This setting strips author names from markup and can remove changes entirely. Turn it off before saving the document to OneDrive.

1. Open the document in Word Desktop
   Do not use Word for the web for this setting.
2. Go to File > Options > Trust Center
   Click Trust Center Settings.
3. Select Privacy Options
   Scroll to the “Document-specific settings” section.
4. Uncheck “Remove personal information from file properties on save”
   If the checkbox is grayed out, the document already has this setting applied. You cannot undo it.
5. Click OK twice to close both dialog boxes
   Save the document to your local drive, then upload it to OneDrive.

Method 4: Force the Document to Open in Word Desktop

Recipients can open the document in the full Word Desktop application, which respects the view settings saved in the document.

1. Open the OneDrive link in a browser
   The document opens in Word for the web.
2. Click “Editing” in the top-right corner of the ribbon
   A dropdown appears.
3. Select “Open in Desktop App”
   Word Desktop launches with the document loaded. All markup appears according to the last saved view setting.

Common Scenarios Where Markup Still Disappears

Word for the Web Does Not Show All Markup Types

Word for the web supports only basic tracked changes: insertions, deletions, and comments. It does not display formatting changes such as font size, bold, or paragraph alignment changes. If your document contains formatting track changes, the recipient must open it in Word Desktop to see them.

Recipient Sees “No Markup” Even After Switching Views

The document may have been saved with No Markup as the default view. In Word Desktop, go to Review > Display for Review and select All Markup, then save the document. Re-upload it to OneDrive. Recipients will see the correct view.

Track Changes Are Missing on a PDF Shared via OneDrive

Track changes are a Word feature. When you share a PDF version of the document, all markup is flattened into the final text. To preserve markup, share the .docx file only.

Comments Are Visible but Tracked Changes Are Not

This occurs when the document is in Simple Markup view. Comments always appear in Simple Markup, but tracked changes are hidden. Switch to All Markup to see both.

Word for the Web vs Word Desktop: Track Changes Behavior

Item	Word for the Web	Word Desktop
Default markup view	Simple Markup	Last saved view (often All Markup)
Formatting track changes visibility	Not supported	Fully supported
Comment visibility	Visible in all views	Visible in all views
Ability to accept or reject changes	Yes, with edit permission	Yes, full control
Remove personal information on save	Setting not accessible; inherited from desktop save	Configurable in Trust Center

Now you can share a Word document via OneDrive link and ensure recipients see all tracked changes. Before sharing, set the link permission to Can edit, disable Remove personal information from file properties on save, and save the document with All Markup as the active view. If markup still does not appear, ask the recipient to switch to All Markup in the Review tab or open the document in Word Desktop.