How do I correctly enter revision bars in the margin of a word doc (v2010). I think I can hack by way with insert, 3pt, solid, shift vertical line, but
how do I temporary open up the margin to put the bar? How do I consistently put in the correct place IAW the ruler, etc. What's the right way?

Here is a link that should help you. Once you set your options within Tracking, your 'revision bar' will appear in the margin where a modification is made.

http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/he...880.aspx?CTT=1

(I hope I am interpeting 'revision bar' correctly. If not, excuse me...)

Thanks JimP

No thats what I mean but thanks aways. A revision bar (right margin-odd page, left margin-even page) identifies to the reader what was changed in the revision of the "technical" document.

I think it going to be a hack with insert line unless after I accept the track changes the change bar remains. It's still better then a pencil and ruler.

You can print the Comments. Make sure "Show Comments" is on before printing.
Revision elements can be printed, but it gets rather messy because the item that was changed is printed and the new text.
Revisions could be printed as a separate list, but then the context gets lost.
It would be nice if you didn't have to record the change as comment, but I believe that nets the desired result.

Note that in Word 2013 and later, you can switch to "Simple Markup" (which is enabled by default, actually) and it shows only the revision bars when tracked changes are enabled.

__________________
Stefan Blom
Microsoft Word MVP

Microsoft 365 apps for business
Windows 11 Professional

Once you have the revision bars showing without balloons, you could save as pdf and then accept the changes. That way you will have a copy with the revision marks. I would save a dated copy of the Word file before you accept the changes.

Place the cursor on the first line you wish to have the revision bar.
Then have a look at Page Layout > Page Backgound > Page Borders.
Select the Borders (first) tab.
This will allow you to create a vertical bar similar to what you would do in formatting a table.
Note: If you selected multiple lines, make sure Paragraph is selected in the Apply to combo box.
Once created you can select the bar (click and hold) and drag it left or right.