How to Find Author of Word Document
In today’s digital age, Word documents are widely used for various purposes, from personal notes to professional reports. However, there may be instances when you need to find out the author of a Word document, whether for legal reasons, to acknowledge the original creator, or simply out of curiosity. This article will guide you through the process of discovering the author of a Word document, ensuring that you can easily access this information whenever needed.
Using Word’s Built-in Features
The first and simplest way to find the author of a Word document is by utilizing the built-in features of the software itself. Here’s how you can do it:
1. Open the Word document you want to inspect.
2. Go to the “File” menu at the top left corner of the screen.
3. Click on “Properties” from the dropdown menu.
4. In the “General” tab, you will find the “Author” field, which displays the name of the person who created the document.
This method is straightforward and effective, especially if the document’s author has not altered their settings.
Checking the Document Properties
If the above method does not yield the desired result, you can try checking the document properties in more detail. Follow these steps:
1. Open the Word document.
2. Click on “File” and then “Info” in the left-hand pane.
3. Look for the “Properties” button at the bottom of the screen and click on it.
4. In the “Document Properties” window, navigate to the “Summary” tab.
5. Here, you will find the “Author” field, which should display the name of the person who created the document.
Examine the Document History
If the document has been shared or collaborated on, the author’s name may not be readily available. In such cases, examining the document’s history can be helpful. Here’s how to do it:
1. Open the Word document.
2. Go to “File” and then “Info” in the left-hand pane.
3. Click on “Show Details” at the bottom of the screen.
4. In the “Document Information” pane, click on “Advanced Properties.”
5. The “Document Properties” window will open, and you can navigate to the “Summary” tab to find the “Author” field.
Consulting the Source
If you are unable to find the author’s name using the above methods, it might be necessary to consult the source of the document. This could be a colleague, a friend, or a supervisor who might be aware of the document’s creator.
Conclusion
Finding the author of a Word document can be a simple task when you know where to look. By utilizing the built-in features of Word, examining the document properties, or consulting the source, you can easily discover the name of the person who created the document. Whether for legal, ethical, or personal reasons, knowing the author’s identity is crucial, and these methods will help you achieve that goal.
