Web download of file and preventing track changes (W2003)

[Keith R]

I'm working with an organization who is providing a template (.doc file with
a structured internal format for data collection) via the web (I'm one of
the users). Every time the document is downloaded, track changes is turned
on by default. We (the users) never want track changes, and would prefer
that it never come on in the first place. The organization has done some
preliminary investigation and claims that it is not possible (e.g. there are
no settings) to prevent track changes from coming on when
opening/downloading/using their document- their solution is for us to go in
each time and turn off track changes, then accept (or reject) all changes in
the document to clear the list of changes.

I believe the documentwas created in W2003, and users range from W97 to
W2003. Due to security issues, disabling track changes via macros is not an
option.

Can anyone confirm that this is an uncontrollable phenomenon, or provide
suggestions for what could be done to eliminate the problem?

Thanks!!
Keith

 

[Shauna Kelly]

Hi Keith

Word distinguishes between a template and a document. If you have a .doc
file, then it's not a template.

If you open a document, Word does not automatically turn on track changes,
or turn it off. The author of the document needs to:
1. Display track changes

2. Accept all the tracked changes in the document (being careful to check
unlikely places like headers, footers, footnotes, endnotes, comments).

3. Save the document.

If that doesn't work, look in Tools > Templates and Add-ins and note the
name of the template that is attached to the document. What is its name? Do
you have a copy of a template with that name? And, if so, is track changes
turned on in that template.

Hope this helps.

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