I've tracked the changes I made to a Word document. The tracking I used is to underline insertions and to strikethrough deletions. I attached the document to an email, but when I open that copy of the document, the insertions and deletions aren't visible. Instead, there's just a red line in the left hand column of the document to indicate a change.



How do I fix this problem - the email recipient needs to be able to see the actual changes, not just a red line.

Greatly appreciate any help anyone can offer!

When you open an e-mail attachment in Word it may display in reading layout view or it may open in Protected view. Both of these settings affect what you see in the document.

Note that if the recipient is using Word 2013, what you describe (lines in the margin) is the default display for documents with tracked changes. It's the so-called "Simple Markup" view, selectable via the Display for Review drop down on that version.

To ensure that a recipient sees exactly what you see, you will have to convert the document to PDF (with tracked changes enabled) and send the PDF instead.

__________________
Stefan Blom
Microsoft Word MVP

Microsoft 365 apps for business
Windows 11 Professional

I have attached an example. Is this what you are looking for?

If so, the person that you are sending the document to needs to change their VIEW to Normal and they should be able to see what you are seeing.

Hope this helps.

Attached Files

temp_ppt.pdf (31.8 KB, 10 views)

If that diagnosis is correct, it will be necessary to change the Track Changes Options and make sure that deleted text is formatted as strikethrough formatting (and not as hidden text).

To display the Track Changes Options dialog box in Word 2010, click the Review tab, click the arrow on the Track Changes button, and finally click Change Tracking Options.

__________________
Stefan Blom
Microsoft Word MVP

Microsoft 365 apps for business
Windows 11 Professional

Note that the track changes display options are set on the recipient's computer and you have no control over that. You can send along instructions on how they can set up their computer options to view your document, if you wish.

Otherwise, you could save as pdf under your options and send that along as well. The pdf will not change according to the settings on their computer.

Change your settings in File > Options > General so that the box to open attachments in read only mode is unchecked. Make sure the recipient has that box unchecked as well. This should alleviate the problem.

@ KK
Be aware that this thread is two years old, the chance that it's still being monitored are rather slim...

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