How to Make Red Edit Marks in a Word Document

Techwalla may earn compensation through affiliate links in this story. Learn more about our affiliate and product review process here.

Editing a document provides an additional layer of security, reviewing the material for anything from an out-of-place period to a major structural or legal error. While the standard editing stereotype may be performed with a red pen, editing on screen keeps everything neat and in line. Use Microsoft Word's track changes feature to electronically mark up a document, noting edits, insertions, deletions and changes with the same familiar red.

Advertisement

Step 1

Open Microsoft Word. Click the "File" tab at the top of the screen and select "Open." Browse to the document to which you want to add editing marks and double-click the file name. The document opens in a new Word window.

Video of the Day

Step 2

Click the "Review" tab at the top of the page. Click the "Track Changes" button in the middle of the ribbon/toolbar below the tab.

Advertisement

Step 3

Click "Track Changes" from the small drop-down menu to signify tracking is on. Any new changes to the document will now appear with edit marks.

Advertisement

Step 4

Select "Change Tracking Options" to open the "Track Changes Options" window. Pull down the six "Color" drop-down menus and select "Red" for each one, or for the options that should be red in color.

Step 5

Click the "OK" button and edit markings appear in red.

Video of the Day

Advertisement

Advertisement

references