T R A C K C H A N G E S Track Changes involves two different functions. One allows you to see what you are doing
to the text as you revise and edit. The other lets you compare the “new” version to the orig-
inal document. Therefore, the first step in using this feature is to copy your essay into a new
document, creating a version that you can change and compare to the original (which is
saved as a backup). To turn on the track changes feature, click on “tools,” “track changes,”
then “highlight changes.” Select “track changes while editing” and “highlight changes on
screen” to see the feature at work while you revise and edit. You may also want to check “high-
light changes in printed document” if you will work from a hard copy of your essay. “High-
light changes” must be checked if you wish to see the changes tracked as you make them.
The next step is to choose how you want track changes to work for you. Open the “work-
ing” version of your essay, then click on “Tools,” “Options,” and “Track Changes.” You will
see four categories for which you can choose options. The box below explains each function.
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