I've just started using Word 2013, and I need to do excessive editing of a manuscript. Several editors have all made changes, and so have I. Normally (in Word 2007) Word knows me and lets me edit my own changes as much as I like, but in Word 2013, every time I open the document, it seems to think I'm a new reviewer, so my name is listed under Reviewers 5 or 6 times.

This means when I try to change an earlier addition, Word thinks I'm changing someone else's, and show it as a markup, instead of just letting me delete it.

Makes it complex and time-consuming and frustrating, because I have to keep dancing around the changes to make them look right.



So, how can I
a: tell Word I'm me every time I open the document. and
b: combine all my existing changes into a single Reviewer again.

I do have a deadline for these edits. Thanks anyone who can figure this one out.

Are you using the same computer all the time? If the user name (as defined in Word Options) is different, then Word isn't going to recognize you as a single editor.

__________________
Stefan Blom
Microsoft Word MVP

Microsoft 365 apps for business
Windows 11 Professional

Yes, same computer, same user id.

That is strange. :-( It's probably something Word 2013-specific, but I haven't been able to find a Knowledge Base article on the topic yet.

__________________
Stefan Blom
Microsoft Word MVP

Microsoft 365 apps for business
Windows 11 Professional

Thanks folks.
I think I see the root of the problem. Having started the doc in one version of Word (2007) and continued in 2013, (though now 2010 as of this morning) I see there are two variations of my name, one with a space in front of it. How this came about and why I seem to be sometimes one and sometimes the other, all in the same version, is beyond me.

The burning question would now be, how can I reassign the changes of one persona over to the other, so I can do all my changes without switching users again and again, or perpetuating the problem.

Based on numerous searches, I think it can't be done.

That certainly explains the symptoms. Make sure the user name in File tab | Options | General is correct.

As far as existing documents are concerned, you should be able to change the author name for comments with a macro. I'm not sure how to do the same with tracked changes, though.

__________________
Stefan Blom
Microsoft Word MVP

Microsoft 365 apps for business
Windows 11 Professional

Thanks Stefan. I'll research the macro route at some point.

Meanwhile, now that I've found the source (though not the cause) at least I can be wary of what's going on.

For comments, changing the author name and initials is straightforward:

__________________
Stefan Blom
Microsoft Word MVP

Microsoft 365 apps for business
Windows 11 Professional

Thanks Stefan. I appreciate your taking the time.
Cheers