I have edited MS word documents on my computer using Review/track changes. The files are saved with Review/Markup off. When I upload these files to a dropbox folder (shared), they display a track changes/markup view. When I permanently delete these files and try uploading them again, the markup view again appears. How do I upload the files to Dropbox (web, not app) without markup edits displaying, i.e. clean edited copy?

Thanks for your quick response. I'm new to Dropbox so this is likely user error--just has me baffled. Here are the steps: 1. I downloaded articles for a newsletter to be edited on my MacBook (current MacOS) 2. I edited them on MS Word (current version) with review/track changes on. 3. I uploaded them to a shared Dropbox folder. 4. I realized the the files were not saved with track changes/markup off, so I deleted them for the Dropbox folder using permanent delete. 5. I saved the files on my computer again with track changes/markup off. 6. I uploaded the files again to the Dropbox folder. 7. I opened the files in Dropbox and saw that markup edits were still visible. 8. I logged off/on to Dropbox and tried above with same result (2x). 9. I restarted the Browser (Safari, current) and tried above with same result 2x). What am missing? Why does the markup view come back with the upload?

Hey Wordrafter, thanks for using Dropbox and welcome to the Community! I'm not quite sure how this could happen; could you walk us through the exact steps you take to do this and send us a couple of screenshots too so that we can have a visual as well? Any additional information is more than welcome!

Hey Wordrafter, I'm not sure this behavior has to do with Dropbox. If you make a copy of the file and upload the copy instead, what do you see? You can also try to create a new document and just copy the contents over from the original, to see if that works as well.

Hi JoolzM, could you try deleting the file permanently on the site and see if the re-uploaded version has the same preview on the site?

MS Word track changes visible in uploaded files

19 Replies

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Jay
Dropbox Community Moderator
10 months ago
Hi Eva_PA, thanks for your message. From what I can see in the old support ticket, we couldn't find a solution, since it seemed that opening a Word document with track changes would always revert to 'All Markup' enabled, when the file is saved before it is uploaded to Dropbox.

The only solution we offered at the time was to contact Microsoft support regarding this matter.
Eva_PA
New member | Level 1
10 months ago
Hi Jay Nancy and Hannah, I'm experiencing this exact same problem, and it even carries over if I create an entirely new document and copy/paste the old one into the new one. Did you ever find a solution for this? Thanks.
tlcoles
New member | Level 2
2 years ago
Incorrect.

After "Accept All Changes and Stop Tracking," I uploaded the document. Dropbox persists in showing the tracked changes. I tried deleting and uploading the file again. Nope. Since I could not permanently delete the file in the shared folder, I saved the document again with another name and uploaded that. Only then did it show the current version of the document (i.e.. with all tracked changes accepted).

There are two things here:

1. That Dropbox shows tracked changes AFTER the document says that all changes have have been accepted and that it is no longer tracking them. If the document had any tracked changes before it was turned off, it considers them turned on.

2. It appears to be that Dropbox is not accepting a re-upload of the document with the same name. Rather, it says "oh, we have that document already" and fishes the other version from the delete pile, thus showing the document with the tracked changes. Only permanently deleting that file (as another user suggested) or reuploading with another name seems to make the differerence.
dwilk720
New member | Level 2
2 years ago
I've had the same issue for some time now, and the only fix I can find is:
1. In MS Word document, click Review
2. In the Changes section, click on the Accept button (part with the down arrow)
3. Then click the last item, Accept All Changes and Stop Tracking (only do this if you actually accept all the changes though!)
4. Re-upload the document to Dropbox
Jay
Dropbox Community Moderator
3 years ago
Hi JoolzM, I've sent you an email, please could you reply to it when you get a chance.
JoolzM
Explorer | Level 3
3 years ago
No need to apologise Walter; it is good of you to help.

Yes, I am still having issues with tracked changes showing; you are welcome to email me.
Walter
Dropbox Community Moderator
3 years ago
Hey JoolzM, sorry to jump in, but I was wondering if you're still having issues with this.

If so, could we reach out via email to have a further look internally?
JoolzM
Explorer | Level 3
3 years ago
Apologies for the delay in getting back to you Hannah (I have been unwell).

I have attached a screenshot below.

Thank you for your ongoing assistance.
Nancy
Dropbox Community Moderator
3 years ago
Hi from me too, JoolzM!

Do you mind sending over a few screenshots of what you see on your end, so that we may have a visual?

Thanks.
JoolzM
Explorer | Level 3
3 years ago
No need to apologise Hannah; it is kind of you to offer your assistance.

I tried using Edge, but the problem persists; I do not think that the type of browser being used is an issue though, because I experience the same problem with the Android App.