How to Track Changes in MS Word

Did you know that you can view any annotations, edits, or comments made to a document using the Track Changes feature in Microsoft Word?

This function is particularly helpful to clients who are having their work proofread, allowing them to accept or reject changes made to their text.

Any content you add, remove, rewrite, or remark on will be recorded by Track Changes. Changes can then be approved or rejected by reviewers.

Let’s get started!

1. Click on the ‘Review’ tab on the MS Word ribbon.

2. Click on Track Changes. It will turn grey when it is enabled.

3. Click on the ‘All Markup’ drop down box next to the ‘Track Changes’ button.

You can begin editing the document as soon as Track Changes is enabled. A grey bar on the left side of the modified text will indicate any changes you make.

• When you add text, it will be a different colour from the existing text, making it simple for reviewers to identify.

• When you remove text from a document, a comment in the right margin will reflect the deletion.

• When you format text, a comment will be included in the document's right margin indicating the type of format.

Making Comments

To make a comment on specific passages of text, simply highlight the text in question, then click on ‘New Comment’ in the ‘Review’ ribbon. The comment will show up in the document's right margin.

Accept or Reject

You can accept or reject changes by right clicking on the change in the right margin, then choose to accept or reject the changes made.

Need more help?

Microsoft has this guide to help with using Track Changes in MS Word.

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/track-changes-in-word-197ba630-0f5f-4a8e-9a77-3712475e806a?ui=en-us&rs=en-us&ad=us

When I proofread and return your text, you will receive both a copy showing ‘Markup’, and a clean copy that has all changes accepted and ready to go.

Contact me today for a FREE proofreading sample! Check out my website for your free proofreading sample.

https://www.elysianproofreading.com.au/free-proofreading-sample

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Oh! The Irony! Hyphenate vs. Non-Hyphenate

Hyphenation Rules

There are four simple rules when it comes to hyphenation. There are lots of other rules too, but these should be your ‘go-to’ rules.

1. Don’t hyphenate prefixes or suffixes. Sometimes, if a word looks weird without a hyphen it’s safe to add it. Hyphens should be used before a capital letter e.g. anti-Australian or before the letter ‘i’ e.g. anti-inflation.

2. Check a dictionary for nouns and verbs.

3. ‘ly’ adverbs should not be hyphenated e.g. happily married couple

4. Hyphenate compound words that might create confusion without one e.g. first-class tickets

What' your favourite hyphenated word? Tell me in the comments!

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How to Choose the Right Word: Tips for Affect and Effect

In some cases, the meaning of effect and affect are easy to distinguish. However, in others, you’ll need to decide whether to use effect or affect based on context and what word best conveys the message you want to express. If you’re ever unsure about how to choose between these two terms, keep reading for tips that will help you make the right word choice every time.

What is the Difference Between ‘Effect’ and ‘Affect’?

Effect is a noun, and it is the outcome of an event or situation that created a change.

Affect is a verb, it means to impact change.

Applying What We Learned About 'Affect' Versus 'Effect'

Affect means to influence or produce a change in something.

• The medicine will affect your ability to drive heavy vehicles.

• The hurricane affected citizens along the coast of Florida.

Effect means the result of change. So, if an event affects your life, you will feel the effect.

• The effect of the hurricane was devastating.

• You'll feel the effects of the medicine wear off in four hours.

My Favorite Way to Remember 'Effect' Versus 'Affect'

To help you remember when to use affect versus effect, we always look for ways that these words create a sense of movement. An affect is something that is felt or experienced — it's an emotional reaction. An effect is something that happens after a cause has taken place — it's a result of some sort of change. We can often understand what we're reading better when we see how affect and effect are moving us through their different paths in sentences.

Need help with word choice or proofreading? Contact me today!

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