How to Hide Comments When Printing in Word 2019: A Step-by-Step Guide

Printing a document in Word 2019 without comments is a simple task that can be accomplished in just a few clicks. You might need to do this if you’re printing a document for a presentation or a meeting and want to keep the comments private. After following the steps below, you’ll be able to print your document comment-free.

Step by Step Tutorial: Hiding Comments in Word 2019

Before diving into the specifics, it’s important to understand that the following steps will guide you through the process of hiding comments in your Word document before printing. This ensures that any reviewer’s notes or edits won’t be visible on the printed pages.

Step 1: Open the Word Document

Open the Word document from which you want to hide the comments.

When you open your document, you’ll likely see comments on the right-hand side if you’ve been using the ‘Track Changes’ feature or if someone else has reviewed your document.

Step 2: Navigate to the ‘Review’ Tab

Click on the ‘Review’ tab in the ribbon at the top of the Word window.

The ‘Review’ tab is where all the tools for tracking changes and comments are located. It’s your go-to place for anything related to document reviewing.

Step 3: Click on ‘Show Markup’

In the ‘Tracking’ section, click on ‘Show Markup’.

‘Show Markup’ is a dropdown menu that allows you to control what types of revisions you see in the document, including comments, insertions and deletions, formatting changes, and more.

Step 4: Uncheck ‘Comments’

In the dropdown menu, uncheck the ‘Comments’ option.

By unchecking ‘Comments’, you’re telling Word not to display any comments when you’re viewing the document. However, note that this doesn’t delete them – it just hides them from view.

Step 5: Print Your Document

Now, go ahead and print your document as you normally would.

When you print your document after following these steps, it will come out of the printer without any visible comments, just the main text.

After completing these steps, your Word document will print without any of the comments showing. This makes for a cleaner, more professional look, especially if the document is for external use or a presentation.

Tips for Hiding Comments in Word 2019

• Always save a copy of the document with comments before hiding them, in case you need to reference them later.
• If you frequently print documents without comments, consider changing your default setting to not show comments.
• Remember that hiding comments does not delete them; they can still be viewed by others who access the document electronically unless you remove them entirely.
• Make sure to double-check your document in ‘Print Preview’ before printing to ensure that all comments are indeed hidden.
• Consider using the ‘Inspect Document’ feature under the ‘File’ tab to remove hidden data and personal information, including comments, from your Word document.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I remove comments completely instead of just hiding them?

To remove comments completely, go to the ‘Review’ tab, click on the ‘Delete’ dropdown in the ‘Comments’ section, and select ‘Delete All Comments in Document’.

Can I hide comments from just one reviewer?

Yes, you can filter comments by reviewer in the ‘Show Markup’ dropdown by unchecking the box next to the reviewer’s name you wish to hide.

Will hiding comments affect how others see the document?

Hiding comments only affects your current view and printout. Others who access the document electronically will still see the comments unless they also hide or remove them.

Is there a shortcut to hide all markup at once?

Yes, you can quickly hide all markup by clicking on the ‘Show Markup’ dropdown and unchecking ‘All Markup’.

Can I print a document with some comments visible and others hidden?

No, the printout will either include all comments or no comments. Comments can’t be selectively printed.

Summary

1. Open the Word document.
2. Click on the ‘Review’ tab.
3. Select ‘Show Markup’.
4. Uncheck ‘Comments’.
5. Print the document.

Conclusion

Hiding comments when printing in Word 2019 is a valuable skill that can help you maintain the professionalism of your printed documents. Whether you’re preparing for a business meeting, submitting an academic paper, or sharing a draft with colleagues, ensuring that your printed material is free from distracting commentary is essential. The process is straightforward and quick, making it an easy step to add to your document preparation routine.

Additionally, understanding how to manage comments in Word not only improves your printing outcomes but also enhances your overall document management skills. With the ability to control what others see, you’re better equipped to collaborate effectively and maintain the integrity of your work. So the next time you’re about to hit ‘Print’, remember these simple steps to keep your document looking clean and comment-free.