How can I accept or reject tracked changes selectively?
Quick answer
In Word, review changes one at a time with Accept or Reject, using Next or Previous to move through them. Resolve only edits you are ready to decide on; leave uncertain ones pending. If you filter by reviewer, check the filter before using an action on shown changes, since it may affect only the currently visible set. No Markup hides revisions but does not resolve them. Before sharing, check the document itself. [S1]
The question, the details, the next step.
I have a document with edits from several people. How do I accept some changes and reject others without clearing everything at once?
Work through the edits individually. In Word, review a change and choose Accept or Reject; use Next or Previous to move through changes. Microsoft documents this approach for Word for Microsoft 365 and versions 2024, 2021, 2019, and 2016, with platform differences noted. [S1]
Read the surrounding sentence or paragraph before deciding so you can assess the edit in context. Accept an edit you want to keep; reject one you do not. If you are not ready to decide, move on without resolving it. A pending change is different from an accepted or rejected one.
Can I review changes from one reviewer first, then move on to another?
If your Word version offers reviewer filters, use one to narrow the changes shown, then inspect the visible edits. Keep the filter in mind when using any action that applies to shown changes: Microsoft warns that such actions can apply only to the currently visible, reviewer-filtered set. [S1]
For controlled review, consider resolving individual edits rather than using a broad action. After reviewing one person’s changes, switch the filter and repeat. Before taking an action on shown changes, confirm which reviewer or group is displayed and that the visible set is the intended scope. A filter helps organize the review; it does not determine whether an edit is correct.
What should I do with edits I have not decided on yet? I need to send the document to someone else for review.
Leave undecided edits unresolved and tell the next reviewer what still needs a decision. Do not rely on No Markup to remove them: Microsoft says that view only hides changes temporarily; the changes remain until accepted or rejected. [S1]
For example, suppose the draft has three edits: one improves a heading, one changes a date you have not verified, and one replaces a term you want to discuss. You might accept the heading edit, leave the date pending, and reject the term replacement if you decide the original wording is preferable. If you pass the document on, note that the date still needs review. This example is illustrative; it does not determine which wording is right for your document.
After I finish deciding, how can I check that the document is actually ready to share?
Review the document again after your decisions. Check that the intended edits are reflected in the text, that any changes you meant to leave pending are still available for review, and that the display is not merely hiding unresolved revisions. Microsoft recommends a final Document Inspector check for tracked changes, comments, hidden text, and other information. [S1]
A practical handoff note could read: “Reviewed: [sections or reviewer]. Accepted: [brief description]. Rejected: [brief description]. Still unresolved: [change or question]. Checked for remaining tracked changes and comments: [status].” Fill in only what you actually checked. The recommended inspection does not establish that every document or platform presents the same controls, or that a particular review decision is correct.
A practical checklist
Save or identify the document copy you intend to review.
Inspect each change in context and choose Accept or Reject only when ready.
Leave uncertain edits pending and record what still needs a decision.
If filtering by reviewer, confirm which changes are visible before using an action on shown changes.
Do not treat No Markup as removal of revisions; it is a display setting.
Before sharing, check the final document and use Document Inspector to look for tracked changes, comments, hidden text, and other information. [S1]
A few more useful answers
Does No Markup remove unresolved tracked changes?
No. It hides changes temporarily; they remain until accepted or rejected. [S1]
Is it safe to apply an action to changes shown under a reviewer filter?
Check the filter and intended scope first. Microsoft cautions that actions on shown changes can apply only to the currently visible, filtered set. [S1]
What should I do if I cannot decide whether an edit is right?
Leave it unresolved, note the question, and pass it to the appropriate reviewer rather than accepting or rejecting it just to clear the markup.
Sources
References used for this guide.
- [S1] Accept or reject tracked changes in Microsoft Word support.microsoft.com · Checked