Word track changes not working as expected

Question

I use Microsoft Office 365 ProPlus.  My updates are up to date.  I use Track Changes with All Track changes suddenly stopped working as expected.   My settings are, with Track Changes on, All Markup; Specifically, under Tracking / Advanced Options:  Under Show Markup, I uncheck Formatting.  I do not use Reviewing Pane.  For Tracking / Advanced Options, I use color only for insertions, strikethrough for deletions, "none" for changed lines.  That's all working. 

Here's what's not working. 

1. For Tracking / Advanced Options, I have Track Moves checked. "Moved from" should show as double strikethrough, and "moved to" should show as double underline.  They don't show that way.  "Moved to" using Ctrl-C / Ctrl V shows nothing for the words moved from and shows the moved to as just an addition (in color).  

2.  Adding a line (using Enter) does not show as an addition, which it normally would.

Thoughts on why Moved from / Moved to is not working as expected?

Answer 1

Hi Baemi,

As per your description, when we tried to test at our end by using the Track Moves features in Word application by using the Ctrl + C/ Ctrl + X and Ctrl + V, the Track Moves doesn’t work and it will recognize as Insertion and Deletion.

So, I’ve tried to search how to use this feature and realized we’ve to use drag and drop feature to work it. You can check the video below.

And coming to “Adding a line (using Enter) does not show as an addition”, enable the Show or hide tab marks in Word application and check it. Refer to this article: Show or hide tab marks in Word.

Appreciate your understanding.

Best Regards,

Chitrahaas

Answer 2

Copy/paste (Ctrl+C/Ctrl+V) is not a "move" as far as Word is concerned. If you want a move, use Cut/Paste (Ctrl+X/Ctrl+V) instead. That will be displayed as specified for Moves in the Advanced Options. Selecting material and dragging/dropping it to a different location will also be marked as a move.

"Adding a line" by pressing Enter will be marked by a change bar in the margin, and you'll see a ¶ symbol in the appropriate color if you display nonprinting characters. Really, though, you shouldn't insert empty paragraphs to add space between text paragraphs; you should add Space Below to the upper text paragraph, preferably by making that part of the style applied to that paragraph.

Answer 3

I spoke too soon, Chitrahaas about one element of the problem I was having.  You helped me solve everything except this:  in a specific Word template used within my work setting, Track Moves, correctly done as you said, using drag and drop of a complete sentence (I guess the "period" is the indicator?) shows double strikerthrough where I move from, but only shows as an insertion (no double underline) where I move to.  This is now the ONLY thing not working in this specific template (which I "live in").  Any guidance I can give to help desk folks in my work setting about what might be blocking this in this template?

Answer 4

Thanks re copy / paste, Jay, that works!  And re the adding a line, got it!  Thanks so much.

Answer 5

Thank you, that works!  And thanks for the video.  Appreciate it.