How to Hide Author Name in Track Changes
In the world of collaborative writing, Microsoft Word’s Track Changes feature is a powerful tool that allows multiple authors to review and edit documents simultaneously. However, there may be instances where you want to hide the author names from the Track Changes comments. This could be for privacy reasons, to maintain a level playing field among contributors, or simply to avoid distractions. In this article, we will guide you through the process of how to hide author names in Track Changes.
Understanding Track Changes
Before we dive into the steps to hide author names, it’s essential to understand how Track Changes works. When you enable Track Changes in Word, any edits made to the document are recorded, including deletions, insertions, and formatting changes. Each author’s name is associated with their edits, and their comments are displayed in the margin.
Step-by-Step Guide to Hide Author Names in Track Changes
1.
Open the Document
First, open the document in which you want to hide the author names from the Track Changes comments.
2.
Access Track Changes Settings
Go to the “Review” tab on the ribbon at the top of the Word window. Click on “Track Changes” and then select “Track Changes Options.”
3.
Modify the Author Name
In the “Track Changes Options” dialog box, you will see a field for “Author.” By default, it will display your name. To hide your name, simply delete the text in this field and enter a generic name or leave it blank.
4.
Hide Comments
If you also want to hide the comments made by other authors, go to the “Review” tab and click on “Show/Hide Comments.” This will collapse the comments section, making it appear as if there are no comments in the document.
5.
Apply Changes
Click “OK” to apply the changes to your document. Now, when you make edits or view the Track Changes, the author names will be hidden.
Additional Tips
– If you want to hide author names for all users, you can create a custom template with the desired settings and use it for all new documents.
– To revert back to showing author names, simply follow the same steps and enter your name in the “Author” field.
In conclusion, hiding author names in Track Changes is a straightforward process that can be done in just a few steps. By following the guide provided in this article, you can maintain privacy, foster a more inclusive writing environment, or simply keep your document focused on the content rather than the contributors.
