Content controls deleted in comments when saving documents in MS365 Current Channel Preview (Build 18827.20008)

Question

The behavior of content controls in comments varies between the following versions:

　①Current Channel (Preview) version 2505 (Build 18827.20008)

　②Current Channel (Preview) version 2503 (Build 18623.20156)

In the case of ①, the content control in the comment is deleted when Word document saving.

In the case of ②, the content control in the comment is not deleted even if it is Word document saved.

Why are content controls in comments being removed in version 2505 (Build 18827.20008) and later?

I want content controls in comments to not be deleted when I save the Word document.

■Confirmation Environment

　OS：Windows 11 Pro 64-bit

　Windows version：23H2

　Office version：Microsoft 365 Apps for business

■Reproduction Steps

　1. Create a new document from a Word document and add comments

　2. Add a rich text content control inside the comment and save the file

　3. Save and close the open document

　4. Open the saved file

When steps 1 to 4 are performed on Current Channel (Preview) version 2505 (Build 18827.20008) , the rich text content control is deleted.

※The Word option "Enable latest comments" is set to OFF.

Answer 1

Hello kei-4230,

Welcome to Microsoft Q&A!

Thank you for your post. I understand that you concern about why content controls in comments are deleted in Word build 18827.20008 and later. I truly understand how you feel. Let me assist you go through this situation.

Microsoft has not explicitly documented this change in the Current Channel (Preview) release notes. However:microsoft

• The release notes for build 18827.20008 and later mention only “various bug and performance fixes” and no specific mention of changes to comment behavior.
• Microsoft has been gradually modernizing the comments feature in Word, and even with “Enable latest comments” turned off, internal changes to how comments are saved may now strip unsupported elements (like content controls) from comments.
• This is likely an undocumented policy change.

For more detail you can also check at this page: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/officeupdates/update-history-current-channel-preview

However, this is my suggestion for you at the moment:

1. Send feedback to Microsoft

Since this behavior is unexpected and undocumented, you should feedback it. And our teams will pay attention and might have update in the future:

• In Word: File > Feedback > Send a Frown
• Include your detailed reproduction steps and mention that it worked in build 18623.20156 but broke in 18827.20008.

2. Roll back to an earlier build

If this behavior is blocking your work:

• You can consider to switch to the Monthly Enterprise Channel or another channel that is still on an earlier build.
• Or manually install an earlier build (e.g., 2503 / 18623.20156) if you have access to it.

3. Workaround

Instead of embedding a content control directly in the comment:

• Place the content control in the document body and refer to it in the comment text.
• Or use plain text placeholders in comments.

I hope this will help with your situation. Please feel free to let me know if you have any further update.

Best Regards,

Katerina- MSFT | Microsoft Q&A Support Specialist

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Answer 2

Hello kei-4230,

Thank you for your post.

I haven't received any further update from you yet. If there is anything more that I could do for you or if anything is unclear that I can assist you with. Please do not hesitate to let me know.

Best Regards,

Katerina- MSFT | Microsoft Q&A Support Specialist