"Inserted Cells" balloons display when printed despite having it set to show all revisions inline

Upload a screen shot so that we can see what you see in the document.

Also, which specific options are selected, on your system, at Review > Show Markup > Balloons?

Same question for the Advanced Track Changes Options dialog box? Which options are activated there?

Are you using modern comments or the classic interface for comments?

Hi Stefan,

these are my settings:

And this is what I see (redacted for confidentiality). The balloons only display for these inserted cells. Nowhere else.

I think I'm using the classic interface for comments but am not certain. They look and function more or less the same as always.

Thank you!

Dear Amy,

Thank you again for your time and for trying the steps we shared. I’m really sorry to hear that the issue is still persisting. I’d like to make sure we get this resolved for you as smoothly as possible.

To better understand what you're seeing on your end, could you please let me know which step you’re currently stuck on? If it’s convenient, feel free to attach a screenshot of what you see in Word, especially the Review tab or the area where the balloons appear via private message. This will help me guide you more accurately.

How to view and send private messages: 

1. Sign in to Microsoft Community using the email account that posted the thread.
2. Click Profile in the upper-right corner.
3. Select My Profile to access private message options.

Thank you again for your patience and for working with us. I’m here to help and will do my best to get this sorted out with you.

Warm regards, 

Vy-Ng – MSFT | Microsoft Community Support Specialist

Thank you. I have tried the settings you recommend, and they didn't work to eliminate the balloons for inserted table cells. As you mentioned in your 4th point, maybe this is just a case of Word treating table structure changes differently. Accepting the changes isn't an option as I do need all changes to display in my document.

Regarding your 3rd point, I do not have an arrow in the bottom-right corner of the Tracking group (I am using Microsoft Word for Microsoft 365 MSO [Version 2505]). I do have one in the Markup group and it opens a "Track Changes Options" window with an Advanced Options button; however, there isn't an option for "Use balloons (Print and Web Layout)" to uncheck?

Dear Amy, 

Good day! Thank you for reaching out to the Microsoft Support Community. I understand you're trying to generate a PDF from a Word document with tracked changes, specifically insertions and deletions which displayed inline, but you're still seeing balloons for "Inserted Cells" when printing or exporting to PDF. I’d be happy to walk you through a few steps that can help resolve this. 

1. Open Your Word Document 

Make sure the document is open in Microsoft Word. 

2. Set Track Changes to Inline 

• Go to the Review tab.
• In the Tracking group:  
  • Click Show Markup → ensure only Insertions and Deletions is checked.
  • Click Balloons → select Show All Revisions Inline.

This ensures that changes like added or deleted text appear directly in the document, not in the margin. Track changes in Word - Microsoft Support  

3. Check Advanced Track Changes Options 

• Still in the Review tab, click the small arrow in the bottom-right corner of the Tracking group.
• In the Track Changes Options dialog:  
  • Under Balloons, make sure Use balloons (Print and Web Layout) is unchecked.
  • Under Formatting, uncheck Track formatting if it’s selected.
  • Click OK to apply.

4. Accept Table Structure Changes (Optional) 

Word sometimes treats table structure changes (like inserted cells) differently and forces them into balloons. If you don’t need to show those changes: 

• Go to Review → click Next Change.
• When you reach an “Inserted Cell” change, click Accept.
• Repeat for any others.

This removes the balloon while keeping other tracked changes inline. Using Modern comments in Word - Microsoft Support 

5. Export to PDF 

• Go to File → Print.
• Under Settings, ensure Print Markup is selected.
• Choose Microsoft Print to PDF or Save as PDF.
• Save the file and check the output.

Please let me know how it goes or if you need help with any of the steps above. I’m happy to assist further. 

Warm regards, 

Vy-Ng – MSFT | Microsoft Community Support Specialist