How to Redline in Word

Redline is a built-in feature in Word for co-authoring documents. It shows any removal or addition of text in the document. A colored line strikes through any text that an author removes.

Likewise, adding any text to the document shows up with a colored underline. By assigning colors to each author, you can see the modifications and updates each of them make in the document.

Additionally, a dotted, colored line connects the added or deleted words to a balloon or comment box in the left-hand margin. The comment box will show the name of the person who made the changes and when.

We will show you in simple, stepwise instructions how to turn on the redline feature in Word.

Let us begin.


Step #1: Open a Word Document

Open the document you are sharing with others.

Step #2: Turn on Redline Features

Click on the Review tab in the top menu bar to change the ribbon.

In the section Tracking, click on the Track Changes icon.

In the drop-down menu, click on the Track Changes icon.

In the section Tracking, click on the down-triangle beside the Simple Markup (or All Markup) icon.

In the drop-down menu, click on All Markup.

Note: If you want to see simple changes, click on Simple Markup.

In the section Tracking, click on the down-triangle beside the Show Markup icon.

In the drop-down menu, click and select all entries:

  • Comments
  • Insertions and Deletions
  • Formatting

Note: Deselect any entry you do not want to show in changes.

In the section Tracking, click on the down-triangle beside the Reviewing Pane icon.

In the drop-down menu, click on the Reviewing Pane Vertical… icon.

A Revisions Pane will open in the left side margin.

Note: If you want the pane to be horizontal, click on the Reviewing Pane Horizontal… icon.

Step #3: Turn on Advanced Redline Features

In the section Tracking, click on the down-arrow beside Tracking.

A Track Change Options dialog box will open.

Under Show, click and switch off any changes you do not want to show.

Click on the Advanced Options… tab.

An Advanced Track Changes Options dialog box will open.

Under the section Markup, change the colors for insertions, Deletions, and Comments to the required colors.

On completion, click on the OK tab at the bottom to close the dialog box.

Click on the OK tab at the bottom to close the Track Change Options dialog box.

Step #4: Using the Redline Feature for Deletion

Select a part of the document you want to delete.

Delete the selected part.

The Redline feature shows the deleted text with a strike-through line.

The Revisions pane on the left shows the changes made.

Step #5: Using the Redline Feature for Insertions

Type and insert a few words in the document.

The Redline feature shows the inserted text with an underline.

The Revisions pane on the left shows the changes made.

Step #6: Using the Redline Feature for Comments

In the document, select the text you want to comment.

In the section Comments, click and select the Show Comments icon.

Click on the New Comment icon.

A balloon appears in the right-hand pane of the document.

Type your comments in the balloon.

The Revisions pane on the left shows the changes made.


Conclusion

We have shown you how to turn on the Redline feature in Word. Use our method to effectively collaborate with all team members for your document.

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