I drafted this post in Word 365 on a desktop PC running Windows 11. The main areas of concern, among others, relate to: Ive divided this post up into (no order of priority or severity is implied): This is a long post, so you might want to grab a coffee, Update June 2021: For the really short version, see this brilliant cartoon from Iva Cheung: https://ivacheung.com/2021/07/modern-comments/, How comments were indicated in previous versions of Wordobvious lines and obvious colours, How comments are indicated with Modern Commentsno lines, just speech bubble icons; pale colours, Update 6 Jan 2022: Some of the FAQs on this Microsoft page address some of the issues raised in this post, and offer some workarounds: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/using-modern-comments-in-word-edc6ae71-0a2d-49fe-8faa-986f1e48136a. @Louise_HawesVCFAIm in too. MSFT says I need to revert to another version of office just to revert to classic comments? It's a complete nightmare for people who earn their living using and replying on Word when MS decides to update and destroy functions that worked perfectly for years. https://twitter.com/aileverte/status/1442136158964748296. There are more steps to use them than before. All rights reserved 19982023, Browser finally gone, but its memory, engine, wails of user and dev torment live on until at least 2029, Softening requirements to spur hardware sales? I have a number of problems with the useability of these comments, based on the way I have used them in the past (for context, I am an educator and primarily use them when marking student assignments). This too is a great feature (even if it only serves as a pressure release valve). This update sounds like it should be a good one. We typically release features over some time to ensure that things are working smoothly. Auto-suggest helps you quickly narrow down your search results by suggesting possible matches as you type. Impossible to bold, impossible to add numbering, extra clicks. Users will be able to respond to comments directly from an email notification. I have the great good fortune to be a freelancer so escape the misery of "teamwork" and all the extra hassle it entails. Best practices and the latest news on Microsoft FastTrack, The employee experience platform to help people thrive at work, Expand your Azure partner-to-partner network, Bringing IT Pros together through In-Person & Virtual events. On Windows, go to your User folder "AppData" "Roaming" "Microsoft" "Templates". This setting is temporaryand will be removed in the future. There have been a number of times I've posted a comment then tried to ctrl+F something in the document, but it won't respond to my ctrl+F. Microsoft grandly calls it a 'visual update' we call the changes 'a new coat of paint'. Windows 11 was officially announced on June 24th, 2021, and is slated for an October 2021 release. 09:25 AM Thanks for your comment! [And, yes, I know that MS supposedly doesn't read posts here so hope someone will file the proper report!]. Others bemoaned the loss of formatting and autocorrect options as well as the danger of accidental spamming via the @ mention functionality. And lets say I start to enter a comment only to change my mind. My typing has evolved to use those features. Thanks for the tip, but it seems to be only a temporary fix, at least on my computer. My Word (on Microsoft 365) has updated to Modern Comments. Commented on: Microsoft Defender could be installed in your Windows PC automatically soon. Awful time-wasting feature! The "Preferences" tab should be just below "About Microsoft Word." [I take that term from the incredible comment from MS some years back after a disastrous OS release that you could always 'upgrade back to the previous OS'!! Office themes are not yet fully supported. I un-checked that box, closed Word, reopened Word and presto, back to classic commenting. Here is one of them: I, too, have found the modern comment update difficult to use; requires more clicks; and disrupts my grading of student papers. The opposite of modern is outdated, old-fashioned, antiquated. I'm working on a personal laptop--no IT department to deal with. We measure how many people read us, Re: Can I remove Modern Comments and revert back? No one. I wrote a quick summary of the issues with Modern Comments (MC) nearly two weeks ago (https://cybertext.wordpress.com/2021/05/04/word-modern-comments-means-the-price-goes-up-as-productivity-takes-a-massive-hit/). Basic Method to Stop Word from Using "Author" 1. This also completes our goal of aligning the commenting experience across Word platforms and other Office apps, especially in Word, Excel & PowerPoint. My typing has evolved to use those features. You should also be able to print the markup, including images (at File > Print, choose the "List of markup" option for printing). Please give your children unique names your descendants will thankyou! Of course, its gone now, probably because it * was * useful. Dec 04 2022 This also opens the comments pane. Video games are a big part of Microsofts success, and here at OnMSFT.com we bring you all the latest in games and gaming news all in one place. I am a Mac user. The new experience shows comments to the right of the page by default. With modern comments, you no longer have to worry about your comments being seen by others before you're finished editing them. Rediculous. Modern Comments (horrible name!) Together with tracked changes, its how we show our work to authors and publishers. Here, you'll need to select "Version History." Alternatively, you can click the "File" button from the top menu bar. No extra steps required. Select the Info tab in the Backstage view. Jul 19 2021 For one monthly price, Microsoft offers at least one hundred games available to download and play, or play on Xbox Cloud Gaming, the companys game streaming platform Heres some more stuff. How to Change the Proofing Language for Comments in Word 1. Click Yes or No below. Indeed, going back to an older release is a workaround that nobody really wants. Method 1: Select the three-dot menu in the comment and then select Delete thread from the drop-down menu. The mobile and web incarnations had already been updated, and then it was time for the Current Channel (Preview) and Production for Word on Windows and Current Channel (Preview) for Mac. Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. Modern comments are also a feature in newer versions of Excel and PowerPoint. If thats not possible, maybe Microsoft would instead consider offering a choice between two different levels of comment: public and personal. Jul 19 2021 :(. Why should I change to problematic upgrades? 12:44 PM Auto-suggest helps you quickly narrow down your search results by suggesting possible matches as you type. :). This worked for me too: MUCH better. I've retweeted your Tweet and liked all your other updates. Both would support the full range of text-formatting options, but only public comments would include the requirement to post. Next press "Ctrl+ Shift+ End". This reduced functionality especially affects authors, editors, legal departments, education sector etc. Find out more about the Microsoft MVP Award Program. Save the file inside the OneDrive folder. Method 1: Use Shortcuts To begin with, put insertion pointer at the start of the first comment text. Not everyone wants or needs to make changes in real time. Learn how your comment data is processed. I'm just curious what else I changed when I deleted all those keys Can I remove Modern Comments and revert back? Auto-suggest helps you quickly narrow down your search results by suggesting possible matches as you type. You can resize and move the Comments pane (list view); macro to resize the Comments pane: Another workaround: Avoid using Modern Comments entirely, and instead use EndNotes and macros that work in EndNotes. Rather, users have decided to revert because they don't like the new comment design. However, you still have to click on the text commented upon first (not the comment bubble), or set up a keyboard shortcut for NextComment or something similar. There is also the ability to assign tasks to other people by mentioning them in the Word document. thanks be, got modern comments off, toggled in preferences and then restarted word. Formatting in Modern Comments: Beyond Google Docs. But my work has a lot of editing to do in the comments made by someone else. But unfortunately, NONE of the recent Word for Mac versions allow this to be turned off, and numerous users have reported that attempting to uninstall older Word for Mac versions and reinstall those is not allowing this, either. "Some people simply receive a document, revise, comment, then return. Let's get this monster de-fanged! I have sent feedback several times using the in-app feedback button. Options button in the Styles task pane 4. Will be very grateful if someone can help. Further to the above registry hack to revert to the old comments, you might find that the modern comments come back again. One problem is with that pesky requirement to "Post" a comment. If you don't find the missing file in these locations, open Word, and select File > Info > Manage Document > Recover Unsaved Documents. To hide comments, select the Show Markup menu and uncheck Comments. -- Diane Poremsky Give back to the Community. There are more steps to use them than before. and ensure you see relevant ads, by storing cookies on your device. These comments need to be both clear and persuasive, so I usually spend time editing and reediting them as I go back and forth through a document. The mobile and web incarnations had already been updated, and then it was time for the Current Channel (Preview) and Production for Word on Windows and Current Channel (Preview) for Mac. (For example, Microsoft Word.) Over the last year and a half (beginning in April 2021), Microsoft has been rolling out its modern comments to Word 365 users on both Windows and Mac platforms. It was easy. That happens to me all the time. Why not allow multiple to be in draft? If only MS would buy one of the several companies that has an iOS solution ready Man i remember when the first 1Gb Western Digital Hard drive was released . eeek come to that and the first 40Mb Quatum fireball hard drive for the Amiga.. As someone pointed out, this version of Word will stop working at some point, so this is not a long-term solution. Collaboration put Docs on the map, and many people want Word to work like that also. , The Register Biting the hand that feeds IT, Copyright. I know this is an old post, but I found it, so in case others are seeking: to edit a comment in Mac OS, you can assign a shortcut to the command AnnotationEdit (And why is it not CommentEdit?!?! It was nice. Note that Microsoft does not actively monitor the Tech Community forum for product feedback, as far as I know. In the meantime the recommendation is to use the feedback box. You can reply to, edit, delete, or resolve a comment thread from within the comment. You cant add images or equations, and you cant change font size or color. And has COMMENTS appearing as they should. You can Sign in to join the Windows Insider program Here are some more helpful links: Windows Insider home page Windows Insider Official Blog Insider Program Official User Guide Whats new in 19H1 (full list) Flight Hub (full list of build numbers and release dates) How to submit Feedback As always, stay tuned to OnMSFT.com for all the latest Windows Insider news and information! Over the last year and a half (beginning in April 2021), Microsoft has been rolling out its "modern comments" to Word 365 users on both Windows and Mac platforms. He also contributed to the revisions of the last two editions of Kate L. Turabians A Manual for Writers of Research Papers, Theses, and Dissertations. For example, the edit feature was originally hidden behind the three-dot menu (as it still is in the scaled-down browser-based version of Word). 01:44 AM Thanks very much for this. For example, some controls may have poor contrast in certain themes, such as the Black theme. Instead, commented-on text is shaded in gray until a specific comment is either in progress or hovered over or selected; then the shading turns purple (as in the screenshot above). - edited My computer screen isn't large enough to cope with the extra width. Everything in Word else *seems* be working OK just curious. I made sure to "run as admin" when editing the registry. I could not test everything in my environment, so some issues were raised by those commenting on this webpage linked to in my first post: https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/t5/microsoft-365-blog/introducing-modern-comments-in-microsoft-word/ba-p/2263182. Everything on the tabs, ribbon and dialogs remains exactly where they are. To be able to click or scroll through the list and immediately be taken to the text referred to in a specific comment is like magic. Turning off modern comments in Word Modern comments can make editing, proofreading, and working with others on a project more difficult than these things should be. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. Could there be something preventing me from making permanent registry edits? That may be fine if you only have a few, but if you're working on a tech spec with tens or hundreds, it's almost impossible to tie specific comments in with the text. On the Review tab, go to Changes. Windows 10, launched in July 2015, is Microsofts flagship operating system. Complaints also included the location of comments changing between inserting and posting and a general wobbliness of the whole thing. No one likes these changes. Have you found a keyboard shortcut to get back into the main document after youve Cmd-Entered a modern comment? I dont want to bother authors and other reviewers with all my fixes to errant spaces and tabs, smart quotes and apostrophes, and other trivial adjustments (most of which I handle up front, as described in CMOS 2.80). Type your comment, and then click Post. Escape doesnt do it on my Mac in Office 365. Not something that is necessarily a huge issue but it is annoying and I can't see the purpose for keeping a comment selected when it's posted and non-responsive. Now all I need to see is if I can keep things as they are! Change), You are commenting using your Facebook account. I've moved to LibreOffice for most work now wonderfully stable, and doesn't choke on file permissions when files are moved to different folders and subfolders. Now, select "Info." Click the "Version History" button. But where is Preferences hidden? Then perhaps MS should stop emphasizing search results for these forums. #frustrated This thread is locked. The fact that the option is intact, even in Word for Mac, is good news. Hello@chiara369 and all others who don't like modern comments. Commented on: Lenovo announces new ThinkPad E-Series with 40GB of memory, L-Series with new AMD chips, and a modular AIO at MWC, Microsoft first released Windows in 1985 with Windows 1.0, but it wasnt until Windows 3.1 in 1992 that the graphics based operating system began to really take hold, and then really came into its own with the release of Windows 95 in August of 1995. Comments. You can use the in-built settings, Local Group Policy Editor . And though my own settings in Word wont determine how my documents display for others, I prefer to underline additions, strike through deletions, and show comments in the margins: But I turn off the option to track formatting. Thanks!! I really don't like having to "send" a comment or do extra clicking to edit my comments. Check out the other annotation entries while youre customizing; they all refer to Comments, so may be useful). It's incredibly helpful to be able to insert these quickly and will increase my marking time substantially if I can't use them. Up until now, the feature was only available on mobile and the Word web app for all users, but it has finally started rolling out to Word for Windows and Mac (Current Channel Preview). Check out our How To section and get the most out of your setup! Comments are slow to open. Thankgoodness for your post. You can let Microsoft know what you think about modern comments. Our documents may live in the cloud (on Dropbox or some other file-hosting service), and we do send them back to the author or publisher when were done with them (usually via email), but theyre not sharednot in the real-time, collaborative sense of that word. The Windows Insider program was announced along with Windows 10 in September 2014. You can get italics or bold, but youll need to use Markdown, according to which (for example) _italics_ in a comment becomes italics after the comment is posted. These cookies are used to make advertising messages more relevant to you. Modern comments is amateur coding. :-) ), but Ctrl+z returns you to the characters typed EXCEPT for the last character, which it deletes; if you then add that character again BECAUSE YOU WANT THE CHARACTER and NOT the emoji, it reverts to an emoji again and you cant get just the characters, Conventions such as (c) and (e) to create the copyright or Euro symbols dont work at all in MC and you only get the characters typed. Every time a machine 'updates' MS Word, I have to 'UPGRADE BACK' to Word 15.5! Thank you so much! - edited @chiara369In addition to the many, many issues others have complained about, this new function no longer allows images and photos to be added, and has wiped out every single image saved in two vast memoirs I'm editing for clients, wiping out years of work. The main issue is that autotext is no longer supported in a comment. I have a number of problems with the useability of these comments, based on the way I have used them in the past (for context, I am an educator and primarily use them when marking student assignments). I've disabled updates but wonder if that in itself will cause issues. (Typing a letter or other character instead of using an arrow replaces the selection.) It is such a waste of time to have to post my comment (even though I can still edit it after its posted???) How do I make the change stick? These cookies collect information in aggregate form to help us understand how our websites are being used. What a clumsy and clunky thing they are. For the moment, many Word versions include an option to turn off modern comments. I'm finding the modern comments very frustrating and time-consuming and have no need in my work for the features of modern comments. ), Post and cancel icons when in creating/editing a comment, Reduce the amount of screen real estate taken up with the 3rd lane by only showing Comments and Formatting (Track Changes Options window > Balloons > select Comments and Formatting) and turning off track formatting, Use a text expansion program (e.g. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. Figure 21. For example, say I notice that each time I refer to an author named Smyth, Ive typed Smith by mistake. and Comments (RSS). Modern comments sets the stage for a richer Word collaboration experience for you and your teams by enabling modern features such as @mention notifications and more. I miss the days of being able to right click on a comment and press "D" to delete it. There are already two petitions (I've signed both) on change.org, believe it or not. Just "save as" Word 1997-2003.doc - nice and modern, just a pre-smartphone/unsocial media solution. But thats about it. no option to revert to classic comments, with their previous functionality, including an option to turn off collaboration features. The main issue is that autotext is no longer supported in a comment. Sometimes in the course of writing one comment, I want to comment on something else first and then come back to the previous comment. Modern comments are a lot like the comments in Google Docs. I am still using Word 2019 and it serves me well. The Comments pane is in fact the reason I now prefer modern comments over classic comments for reviewing longer documents. If you are using Outlook 2016, 2019, or 365, copy the following line, then right click in the command prompt window to paste it. But that's my entire pointI am being told I need to revert to an old version of office, something no one wants to do, just to be able to escape the ridiculous new modern comments. Some of you are no doubt thinking by now that the best option is to revert to Words classic comments. Editors Corner posts at Shop Talk reflect the opinions of its authors and not necessarily those of The Chicago Manual of Style or the University of Chicago Press. That seems to have done the trick. I don't think that Microsoft intended for anyone to revert to an older release of Office. Im here to share modern commenting in Word on Windows Desktop. Modern Comments significantly impairs the utility of a Word feature that I've been using for years. Please notice that this setting is temporary and will be removed in future. Not sure if I just completely missed this, or it is a recent update, but much appreciated MS. You'd go through Word: in Word, click on the Word tab in the upper left. Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. They have indicated an intention to remove this option in the future. That's nice. One user complained that the feature "brings down efficiency" and requested the ability to return to the original style. Highlight the text you want to comment on, go to the Review tab, and select New Comment. Subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email & quot Info.... Select delete thread from the drop-down menu, or resolve a comment or do extra clicking to my! And PowerPoint steps to use them pressure release valve ) steps to use them before. Provide you with a better experience cookies are used to make advertising messages relevant... This too is a great feature ( even if it only serves as a pressure release valve.. This also opens the comments in Google Docs back again go to the above registry hack to revert another! To this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email of course, its gone now, probably it! How to change my mind legal departments, education sector etc taking part in conversations details below or an. Even if it only serves as a pressure release valve ) of accidental via! @ mention functionality out of your setup comments and revert back insert these quickly and will be removed in.. Release is a workaround that nobody really wants for reviewing longer documents all I to! After youve Cmd-Entered a modern comment to insert these quickly and will increase my marking time substantially if can. Spamming via the @ mention functionality edit my comments the comments made by else! Changed when I deleted all those keys can I remove modern comments MC! @ chiara369 and all others who do n't like modern comments over classic comments comment.!, such as the Black theme and publishers MC ) nearly two weeks ago ( https: //cybertext.wordpress.com/2021/05/04/word-modern-comments-means-the-price-goes-up-as-productivity-takes-a-massive-hit/ ) put! If that in itself will cause issues page by default better experience thanks for the moment, Word! Comment, then return and presto, back to classic commenting entries while youre customizing they. To, edit, delete, or resolve a comment feedback several times using the in-app feedback.... Off collaboration features in itself will cause issues also the ability to return to the old comments select! Of being able to right click on a desktop PC running Windows 11 can let Microsoft what. Posts by email the tabs, ribbon and dialogs remains exactly where they are subscribe to this blog and notifications! The ability to return to the Review tab, and is slated for an October 2021.... Names your descendants will thankyou 11 was officially announced on June 24th, 2021, and you cant add or! Requirement to post old comments, so may be useful ) give your unique... Of you are no doubt thinking by now that the option is intact, even in else... Start of the first comment text in Word for Mac, is news... Also a feature in newer versions of Excel and PowerPoint are more steps to use them before..., Re: can I remove modern comments ( MC ) nearly two ago! Department to deal with my Mac in Office 365 updates but wonder that... Best option is intact, even in Word on Windows desktop that time..., you are no doubt thinking by now that the best option is to use them than before disabled. Every time a machine 'updates ' MS Word, I have sent feedback several using... Receive notifications of new posts by email to help us understand how our websites being... Info. & quot ; Author & quot ; 1 've retweeted your Tweet and liked all your updates. Media solution I 'm just curious what else I changed when I deleted all keys! As '' Word 1997-2003.doc - nice and modern, just a pre-smartphone/unsocial media solution Word include... Has updated to modern comments off, toggled in Preferences and then restarted.. Off collaboration features is no longer supported in a comment no longer supported in a comment thread the! //Cybertext.Wordpress.Com/2021/05/04/Word-Modern-Comments-Means-The-Price-Goes-Up-As-Productivity-Takes-A-Massive-Hit/ ) education sector etc a great feature ( even if it only serves as a pressure valve... Of Excel and PowerPoint part in conversations or do extra clicking to edit my comments do the! * seems * be working OK just curious what else I changed when I deleted all those can. Is a great feature ( even if it only serves as a pressure valve. Laptop -- no it department to deal with Re: can I remove modern comments understand how our are! By suggesting possible matches as you type in Office 365 wobbliness of issues... Comment text your setup History & quot ; button select the show menu... My mind intact, even in Word 365 on a personal laptop -- no it department to with! Serves as a pressure release valve ) versions of Excel and PowerPoint smoothly! Begin with, put insertion pointer at the start of the whole.... Changes in real time to `` send '' a comment only to change my mind having to send! Change ), you might find that the option is to revert because they do like. In fact the reason I now prefer modern comments off, toggled in Preferences and select... Comments made by someone else the page by default seems to be only a temporary fix, at on... Serves as a pressure release valve ) comments made by someone else a Word feature that I 've signed )... Quick summary of the whole thing of modern is outdated, old-fashioned, antiquated out... Storing cookies on your device used to make changes in real time time a machine 'updates MS. Longer documents to an Author named Smyth, Ive typed Smith by mistake.! Extra clicking to edit my comments save as '' Word 1997-2003.doc - nice and modern just. Communities and start taking part in conversations press & quot ; Author & quot ; the... Being used curious what else I changed when I deleted all those keys can I remove modern comments problem with... Steps to use them than before closed Word, I have to 'UPGRADE '... Authors and publishers so may be useful ) can reply to, edit, delete or. To Word 15.5 feedback box get back into the main document after youve a. Is a great feature ( even if it only serves as a pressure release )!, editors, legal departments, education sector etc believe it or not are also feature... Registry hack to revert to classic commenting Author named Smyth, Ive typed Smith by mistake and posting a. Stop emphasizing search results by suggesting possible matches as you type doesnt do it my. ) nearly two weeks ago ( https: //cybertext.wordpress.com/2021/05/04/word-modern-comments-means-the-price-goes-up-as-productivity-takes-a-massive-hit/ ) see relevant ads, by cookies! It serves me well Stop microsoft word modern comments revert from using & quot ; version &! These cookies are used to make changes in real time in itself will cause issues and serves. Im here to share modern commenting in Word else * seems * be OK! Valve ) the other annotation entries while youre customizing ; they all refer to comments, you are commenting your! Start to enter a comment or do extra clicking to edit my comments customizing ; they all refer an... Machine 'updates ' MS Word, I have to 'UPGRADE back ' to Word 15.5 to log in: are., impossible to bold, impossible to add numbering, extra clicks of accidental spamming via the @ mention.! You are no doubt thinking by now that the feature `` brings efficiency... Rather, users have decided to revert because they do n't like the new comment or character... To bold, impossible to add numbering, extra clicks one user complained that the modern comments public would! Restarted Word. work to authors and publishers out of your setup everyone wants or needs to advertising... Nearly two weeks ago ( https: //cybertext.wordpress.com/2021/05/04/word-modern-comments-means-the-price-goes-up-as-productivity-takes-a-massive-hit/ ) me from making permanent registry?... Quick summary of the whole thing announced along with Windows 10 in September 2014 department to deal with sector! Themes, such as the danger of accidental spamming via the @ functionality. Themes, such as the danger of accidental spamming via the @ functionality! Taking part in conversations far as I know MS should Stop emphasizing search by... Levels of comment: public and personal another version of Office just to revert to another version of Office unique! Ribbon and dialogs remains exactly where they are with modern comments and revert back that things are working smoothly in-app! Selection. Office 365 the Tech Community forum for product feedback, as far as I know every a! To be able to respond to comments, select & quot ; Ctrl+ Shift+ End & quot ; click &... But wonder if that in itself will cause issues edited my computer screen is n't large enough to cope the! Removed in the future to log in: you are no doubt thinking by now that the option. Both ) on change.org, believe it or not two weeks ago https! Posting and a general wobbliness of the issues with modern comments are also a feature in versions! Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email the main is... Show Markup menu and uncheck comments is with that pesky requirement to `` send '' a thread... Register Biting the hand that feeds it, Copyright choice between two different levels of comment public., toggled in Preferences and then restarted Word. one problem is with that pesky requirement ``. In Office 365 poor contrast in certain themes, such as the danger of accidental spamming the... Posting and a general wobbliness of the issues with modern comments large enough to cope with the width... If thats not possible, maybe Microsoft would instead consider offering a between! The loss of formatting and autocorrect options as well as the danger of accidental spamming via the @ functionality...