How to Print Without Comments in Word

Comments in Word documents can be lifesavers during collaborative edits. They often clutter up the page when you're ready to print a clean, polished version. Nobody wants their final report or essay to look like an ongoing group discussion, right? We'll walk through how to print your Word document without those comments. Your final printout looks as clean and professional as possible.

Why You Might Want to Print Without Comments

First things first, let's talk about why you might want to print a document without comments. Sure, comments are great for noting changes, asking questions, or making suggestions during the editing process. But when it comes to presenting the final version of your work, you probably want it to look neat and tidy, free of any unnecessary clutter. Imagine you're submitting a project to your boss or a professor. You'd want the focus to be on the content, not the side notes, right?

Besides, having comments printed can sometimes give off an unfinished vibe, as if the document is still a work in progress. Removing comments before printing ensures that the document appears as it was intended to be seen in its final form. This is especially important in professional settings where first impressions count for a lot. So, let's explore how to get that pristine printout you're aiming for.

Using Simple Print Options

Word makes it relatively straightforward to print without comments, and you don't need to be a tech wizard to figure it out. Here's a simple way to do it:

• Open your document in Microsoft Word.
• Go to the File tab at the top of the page.
• Select Print from the dropdown menu.
• In the print settings, look for an option that says Print All Pages.
• Click on the dropdown menu next to it and choose Print Markup to toggle it off.
• Without the markup, the document will print without comments.

It's as simple as that. Just a few clicks, and you've got yourself a comment-free document ready to go. This method is ideal for those who frequently need to print without comments and want a quick, hassle-free solution.

Adjusting Document View Settings

Sometimes, you may want to adjust how your document looks on your screen before printing it. This can help you visualize what the final print will look like. Here's how you can adjust the view settings:

• Click on the Review tab at the top of your screen.
• Select Show Markup in the Tracking group.
• Uncheck Comments from the dropdown menu. This will hide the comments from view.

While this doesn't affect the print settings directly, it helps you see the document as it will appear when printed. It's a handy step for those who want to make sure everything looks perfect before hitting that print button.

Using the Track Changes Feature

Word's Track Changes feature is a powerful tool for collaboration. It can also be the culprit behind unwanted printouts if not managed properly. If your document has tracked changes along with comments, you might want to accept or reject those changes before printing.

• Go to the Review tab.
• In the Tracking group, click on Next to go through each change.
• Select Accept or Reject for each change.
• Once all changes are handled, your document is ready for a comment-free print!

Handling tracked changes ensures that your document is finalized and prevents any accidental edits from sneaking into your printed version.

Printing Only Specific Pages

There are times when you don't need to print the entire document, especially if only certain sections are finalized. You can choose to print specific pages without comments as well:

• Open the File tab and click on Print.
• In the Settings, find the section labeled Pages.
• Enter the page numbers you want to print.
• Make sure the Print Markup option is toggled off as mentioned earlier.

This method is particularly useful for large documents where only parts of the text are final, saving both paper and ink.

Saving as a PDF Without Comments

If you prefer having a digital version of your document without comments, saving it as a PDF can be a great option. Here's how you can do it:

• Click on the File tab and select Save As.
• Choose PDF from the dropdown menu under the file format options.
• Before saving, make sure the Options button is checked.
• Uncheck Document Properties and Document Structure Tags for Accessibility to make sure comments are not included.
• Click OK and then Save.

This method is excellent for maintaining the layout and style of your document without printing. Plus, PDFs are universally accessible and can be shared easily.

Spell: Your AI-Powered Document Partner

Now, if you're looking for a way to streamline your document editing and printing process even further, Spell might just be what you need. Imagine having an AI that not only helps you with editing but also ensures your document is polished and ready for printing. Spell allows you to create and edit documents using natural language, making the process faster and more intuitive. It's like having a writing assistant that keeps your work clean and tidy, ready to be shared or printed at any moment. And guess what? You can do all of this without worrying about any comments sneaking into your final version!

Removing Comments Manually

Sometimes, the comments in a document are few enough that you can manually remove them. This method is straightforward but can be time-consuming if you have a lot of comments. Here's how to go about it:

• Go to the Review tab.
• Click on Comments in the Comments group.
• Select each comment and click Delete.

While manual removal is straightforward, it's often not the most efficient method for documents with numerous comments. However, it gives you the most control over which comments to keep and which to remove.

Using a Macro to Remove Comments

If you're a bit more tech-savvy or curious about automating the process, using a macro can help remove all comments with just a click. Here's a simple macro you can use:

Sub RemoveComments()
    Dim cmt As Comment
    For Each cmt In ActiveDocument.Comments
        cmt.Delete
    Next cmt
End Sub

To set up this macro:

• Press Alt + F11 to open the VBA editor.
• Click Insert > Module and paste the macro code in the module window.
• Close the VBA editor and return to your document.
• Run the macro by pressing Alt + F8, selecting RemoveComments, and clicking Run.

Using a macro is a powerful way to streamline the removal of comments, especially in lengthy documents. It saves time and ensures no comments are overlooked.

Keeping a Copy With Comments

Before you remove all comments, it might be smart to keep a version of the document with comments intact. This can be handy if you need to revisit feedback later or track changes for future reference. Here's a quick way to do it:

• Save a copy of your document by clicking File > Save As.
• Rename the file to indicate it contains comments, like ‚ÄúDocument_With_Comments‚Äù.
• Proceed with removing comments in your original document.

Having this backup ensures you don't lose valuable feedback and allows you to maintain a clean version for printing and a detailed one for your records.

Final Thoughts

Printing without comments in Word is a simple yet effective way to present your work in a professional manner. Whether you're using print settings, adjusting views, or leveraging macros, there are plenty of ways to achieve a clean final version. And if you're looking for a fast, smart way to handle documents, Spell can be an invaluable tool, making document editing and preparation as efficient as possible. It's about making your life easier so you can focus on what really matters. Your content.