Tracked changes removing columns

Question

I have a problem with a Word document. Text is presented in two columns throughout, but there are two sections as the columns need to be a bit different on the first page compared to the rest. It's used as a template (but isn't a template document), and I've seen an example today where text in both sections has changed and changes have been tracked.

All looked fine, until the user selected 'accept all changes in the document', at which point the second section reverted to one column of text, not two. This was definitely not done pre-accept all changes - it was still in two columns when you choose the 'view final' option. So 'accept all changes' seems to be causing an additional, unwanted change. The first section was fine though.

Is this known behaviour? Is there anything we can do about it?

Answer 1

Column formatting is a section property, which means that it is stored in a section break. Perhaps someone inadvertently deleted a section break during the tracking; the section and its formatting would then be lost after the change had been accepted.

Answer 2

If you can send me a copy of the document before the changes have been accepted, I will see if I can find out what is happening.

Answer 3

Thank you very much for your reply. In answer to your questions:

1.  the text all stays there, but is not in columns anymore (i.e. just a normal page without columns)
2. there are no pictures, but there are a few tables, if this would also make a difference?

William

Answer 4

Hi,

Thank you for posting your query in Microsoft community.

Before we proceed, I need more information to help you better. 

1. Is the second column deleted completely or the text merged to the first column?

     2.  Was there any pictures inserted in the column?

Usually, two-column documents are difficult to work with if there are any pictures inserted in the columns.

Kindly confirm that the column was not deleted before accepting the changes since deletion of column in a table cannot be tracked and you cannot note any changes made in the document.

I look forward to your reply to assist you further.

Thank you.