Document is tracking changes (redlining) even though track changes is turned off.

Question

I have a document that contains form fields.  Even though "track changes" is turned off, it is automatically redlining in the fields.  Why is this occuring?  This is a document that I use multiple times a day, it is a form that contains fields to fill in, and then print on a check.  When I use it, I fill in the fields, print the check, and then close the document without saving.  When I opened the document today and started filling it in, the fields that automatically fill in based on what I've typed in a different field, are redlining.  I've turned off track changes everywhere I can find to do so and it continues to do so.  I'm using Word 2010.

Answer 1

It's likely that the document is corrupted. You can try to restore it as follows:

• Click the ¶ button or press Ctrl+Shift+8 to turn on nonprinting characters, especially the paragraph marks.
• Select everything in the document except the last paragraph mark, and copy it to the clipboard.
• Open a new blank document and paste the clipboard into it.
• Save the new document with a different file name or path.

Test the new document to see whether it behaves correctly.

If the document is corrupted, the problem probably lies at least partly in the way you're using it. The process of opening, modifying, and closing without saving presents opportunities for add-ins or other programs to corrupt the document. Instead, you should save it as a template (*.dotx) file. Then use File > New to create a new document each time, based on the template; use the document and close it with or without saving. Nothing that happens to the document will affect the template, and you always get a fresh document with empty fields each time.

Answer 2

Create a .dotx, that's a good idea!  Thanks :)  I opened the document again today after having shut down my computer last night, and it's not doing the redlining thing.  Who knows.  LOL.  Thanks for the tip, I'm going to make a template and use it as you suggested.