This tutorial shows how to change the color of Track Changes in Microsoft Word
[Typewriter Sounds]
Hello, my name is Erin.
I’m a professional copy editor who shares writing tips for the real world on this channel
and on my blog at erinwrightwriting.com.
In today’s tutorial, we’re going to change the color of Track Changes markup in Microsoft Word.
Specifically, we’re going to choose from eighteen different colors for insertions,
deletions, text movements, and comment balloon borders.
Before we begin, please allow me to share four important notes:
Track Changes colors apply to all markup in the document from all users.
Word doesn’t currently offer a way to choose specific colors for individual users.
Track Changes colors appear in-line rather than in balloons or the Reviewing pane.
We’ll cover the steps to change the color of text in balloons in a separate tutorial.
Also note that Track Changes colors are stored in your computer, not in your document.
So, your color choices won’t transfer to someone else’s computer.
Lastly, the color of Track Changes for formatting is customizable.
However, the results can be visually confusing because color changes can be format changes.
For best results, show format tracking in comment balloons.
I’ll be using Word in Microsoft 365, which is formerly Office 365.
The steps are the same in Word 2019, Word 2016, and Word 2013.
However, your interface may look different in those older versions of the software.
To begin, select the Review tab in the ribbon.
Then, select the dialog box launcher in the Tracking group.
Next, select the Advanced Options button in the Track Changes Options dialog box.
And then choose a new color for each of the main Tracking options
in the Advanced Track Changes Options dialog box, which are:
insertions,
deletions,
comments, which is the color of the comment balloon border, not the color of the comment text.
And, text movements.
Please note that the “By author” option assigns each user a different color.
The software chooses those colors and doesn’t currently offer a way to customize colors for individual users.
When you’re finished, select the OK button.
Followed by the Close button the Track Changes Options dialog box.
Your color selections should appear immediately.
As always, save your file to save your changes.
I have created many other videos about using Track Changes in Word, including
“How to Copy and Paste Comments and Track Changes in Microsoft Word” and
and “How to Remove User Names for Existing Track Changes in Microsoft Word.”
Please see the “Track Changes in Microsoft Word” playlist
in the description box below for the complete list.
The companion blog post for this video listing all the steps we just performed appears on
erinwrightwriting.com, which is also linked below.
Feel free to leave me a comment if there’s a specific topic related to Microsoft Word
or Adobe Acrobat that you would like me to talk about in the future.
And please subscribe to my channel and give this video a thumbs-up if you found it helpful.
Thank you so much for watching!
[Typewriter Sounds]