DOCX comments and tracked changes: what to remove before sharing
Learn how Word documents can expose comments, tracked changes, authors, and revision history.
Last updated: June 2026 · Privacy Toolbox editorial team
On this page
- • What Word files can expose
- • Manual checks still matter
- • Before sending a resume, proposal, or contract
What Word files can expose
DOCX files can include author names, last modified by values, comments, tracked changes, revision data, custom properties, template paths, and internal discussion history.
Manual checks still matter
Some hidden data should be resolved in Word itself, such as accepting or rejecting tracked changes and deleting comments. A metadata scanner helps identify risk, but you should also review the visible document.
Before sending a resume, proposal, or contract
Scan the file, remove supported properties where available, open the cleaned document, check comments/tracked changes, and verify the output before sending it externally.