Issue with track changes in Word 2003

  • Thread starter Thread starter alienhuntergirl
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A

alienhuntergirl

I have to track changes on documents I send to another firm so that
they see the changes from the original, but not sentences I typed in
then immediately backspaced while editing the documents. Normally
sentences I just typed in just go away when I delete them with track
changes on. A few times I have had the problem where I have added a
sentence, saved and then realised I needed to delete that sentence but
it strikes through instead of just removing the text. I'm not sure why
that's happening.
 
I have to track changes on documents I send to another firm so that
they see the changes from the original, but not sentences I typed in
then immediately backspaced while editing the documents. Normally
sentences I just typed in just go away when I delete them with track
changes on. A few times I have had the problem where I have added a
sentence, saved and then realised I needed to delete that sentence but
it strikes through instead of just removing the text. I'm not sure why
that's happening.
Click to expand...

You still have Track Changes turned on, and it thinks you're making
another change.

Instead of trying to delete the offending material, select the bit you
don't want (most reliably, by using the left and right arrows on the
Reviewing toolbar) and remove it with the X icon on the Reviewing
toolbar ("Reject Change").
 
Is there a way I can stop it from happening in the future so that my
boss doesn't have a meltdown?
 
Hi

While Track Changes is on (that is, while you're tracking changes) then
*all* changes you make are tracked. If you insert new text, Word marks
it as an insertion. If you delete old text, Word marks it as a deletion,
which is a polite way of saying that when you delete old text, Word does
*not* actually delete it, but instead marks it for deletion.

The only way to be sure of what you're sending to someone is to review
the document before you send it out. Use the Reviewing toolbar and
display "Final showing Markup". Now, use the Next button (with a blue
arrow) to move from one tracked change to the next. If you want this
tracked change in the document you email, leave it alone and go on to
the next one. If you don't want this tracked change in the document you
email, either accept or reject the change.

More information at
How does Track Changes in Microsoft Word work?
http://www.ShaunaKelly.com/word/trackchanges/HowTrackChangesWorks.html

How to use the Reviewing Toolbar in Word 2002 or Word 2003
http://www.ShaunaKelly.com/word/trackchanges/HowToUseTheReviewingToolbar.html

Hope this helps.

Shauna Kelly. Microsoft MVP.
http://www.shaunakelly.com/word
 
I'm surprised because normally when I delete insertions made after I
turned track changes on they just go away as if they'd never been
inserted.
 
I'm surprised because normally when I delete insertions made after I
turned track changes on they just go away as if they'd never been
inserted.
Click to expand...

That's when they're still just insertions waiting to be accepted. If
you select underlined inserted text, you should be able to delete it
with the delete key or by typing over it.
 
What I don't understand is why insertions I haven't accepted yet would
also show as deletions, so it ends up with red underline and red
strikethrough.
 
Hi

Two things might help your understanding here.

1. If Track Changes is on (ie you are tracking changes) and you select
some text and "type over" it (ie replace it with new text) then Word
observes that two things happened: (a) the old text was deleted and (b)
the new text was inserted. Word records this as two different tracked
changes.

2. If you have made a change that has been tracked and then you change
that change (eg you insert some text, which is marked as an insertion,
and then you delete exactly the text you inserted) then Word will
recognize that you did it and will leave you with no remaining tracked
change. Or, let's say you insert some new text. Word counts this as one
"insertion" change. Then you edit that text. Word recognizes that you
did it and leaves you with just one tracked change. If you had inserted
the text and *someone else* edited the text, Word would recognize two
changes.

Word recognizes "you" by the Name and Initials at Tools > Options > User
Information. However, sometimes Word has a bad hair day and can't
recognize "you" as "you" and attributes the change to a different
author. Use Tools > Options > Track Changes to display changes in the
"By author" colour to discern the difference.

Hope this helps.

Shauna Kelly. Microsoft MVP.
http://www.shaunakelly.com/word
 
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