 Edited manuscript of The Cinderella Reflex by Joan Brady | When I copy-edit a document or fiction manuscript for a client, I use Microsoft Word’s track changes function. This allows the author to see the changes I make to their work. The author can then decide whether to accept or reject those changes. It also allows me to comment on different aspects of their document/manuscript and to reference and cross reference my edits. |
Many of my clients are familiar with track changes and find it easy to use. For some authors, however, track changes is an unfamiliar tool which they must learn to use from scratch. For such clients, as well as returning a copy of their manuscript with the tracked changes visible, I also return a ‘clean’ copy – one with all the changes already accepted.
Rather than reinvent the wheel, I also point such clients in the direction of some excellent existing resources that comprehensively cover the use of track changes. These provide step-by-step guidance, with useful graphics, to help my clients navigate through the edits I made in their manuscript.
So if you’re unfamiliar with track changes or would like to learn more about its functionality, I suggest you read and bookmark the following online articles (including links to how-to videos on YouTube) by Liz Dexter, Janine Savage and the late Shauna Kelly. You will learn how to view the tracked changes, accept or reject an edit, make your own changes or deletions, remove comments, and to toggle between before- and after-edit views.
Using Track Changes
Track Changes – the basics
Track Changes – intermediate
Track Changes – advanced
How does Track Changes in Microsoft Word work?
Track Changes – how to find it, how to use it
Working with Track Changes in a document
Customising Track Changes
Customising Track Changes
Customising comment boxes
Changing the language in comment boxes
Troubleshooting in Track Changes
What to do if your comment boxes go tiny
What to do if your comment boxes are running right to left
Rather than reinvent the wheel, I also point such clients in the direction of some excellent existing resources that comprehensively cover the use of track changes. These provide step-by-step guidance, with useful graphics, to help my clients navigate through the edits I made in their manuscript.
So if you’re unfamiliar with track changes or would like to learn more about its functionality, I suggest you read and bookmark the following online articles (including links to how-to videos on YouTube) by Liz Dexter, Janine Savage and the late Shauna Kelly. You will learn how to view the tracked changes, accept or reject an edit, make your own changes or deletions, remove comments, and to toggle between before- and after-edit views.
Using Track Changes
Track Changes – the basics
Track Changes – intermediate
Track Changes – advanced
How does Track Changes in Microsoft Word work?
Track Changes – how to find it, how to use it
Working with Track Changes in a document
Customising Track Changes
Customising Track Changes
Customising comment boxes
Changing the language in comment boxes
Troubleshooting in Track Changes
What to do if your comment boxes go tiny
What to do if your comment boxes are running right to left
