Some comments not appearing in contextual view, but appear in list view.

Anonymous
2024-09-21T00:50:47+00:00

Greetings,

Since the last update (currently running MS Word Version 2408 (Build 17928.20156), some of the comments that I make in Word documents do not appear in contextual view, even though they appear in list view. I am not able to click on them in the text and have the comment appear in contextual view. After I make some comments, they disappear and are only available in list view. I am working on an important paper for the top medical journal in the world, and it is debilitating as an editor to not be able to make comments. This document is shared with 20 people. It has also happened in another document that I am working on for another client (in this document, it happened before the document was shared).

I called support. They cannot help and claim that it is not a Microsoft issue. I have copied and pasted the text with the broken comments into a new document and the problem still occurs. Saved the document to my PC (instead of OneDrive) and the problem still occurs. I have accessed the document on another computer and the problem still occurs.

I am beyond frustrated. My colleagues, global leaders in their fields, are mainly older and are technologically challenged. They will not understand if I tell them to look at the comments in list view instead of contextual view. Essential comments will be missed. I just need it to work properly. I am beyond frustrated.

Any advice is most appreciated!

Thanks

Microsoft 365 and Office | Word | For business | Windows

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  1. Anonymous
    2025-03-11T04:18:37+00:00

    Hi Jason,

    Thanks a lot for responding. I've followed ur steps and the Word version stated is 2412 (Build 18324.20240) so I need to update. But as u mentioned, my device is company issued device so it doesn't enable me to update it myself. I will liaise with the IT team here for assistance on this. Thanks again for your step by step guidance!

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  2. Anonymous
    2025-03-10T13:24:29+00:00

    Microsoft releases updates in stages to different update "channels" (i.e., Current, Monthly Enterprise, Semi-annual Enterprise). They release updates first to the Current channel, then to Monthly, then to Semi-annual.

    To check your channel and version and/or to run a manual update:

    1. Open Word
    2. Click File, and in the very bottom left, click Account (may have to click More... depending on your screen size)
    3. On the right side next to the About Word button, look for your version and channel.
    4. If you're on Current Channel with Version 2502 (Build 18526.20144), you're good to go!
    5. If you're on Current Channel with Version 2501 or earlier, you need an update. a) Click the Update Options button at the top of the section on the right side b) Click Update Now to check for and apply updates.

    If you're not on the Current Channel, the bug fix will likely be included in the other channels in the next month or two. Keep in mind, if your device is company-managed, you may have not control over your channel or when updates are applied. You can reach out to your service desk for assistance.

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  3. Anonymous
    2025-03-09T12:57:29+00:00

    Wow I can't believe it, Microsoft actually finally came up with a fix for this! Thanks so much for informing the group here.

    Let's hope this resolves the comments not appearing in Contextual view once and for all. I echo another user here who ask, will this fix be implemented when we're prompted to update Windows in the system? Also, how do we know if the patch has been implemented into the Word program? Is there something we need to do? Appreciate any advise!

    Thanks!

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  4. Anonymous
    2025-03-08T23:21:42+00:00

    Thanks so much for sharing this, Jason. Begging your patience (I'm not especially tech savvy), but does this mean that the next time I'm prompted to update MS365 this potential fix will be included in that update? I don't know what a current channel build is. Thanks again for the—hopefully!—good news. Fingers crossed!

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  5. Anonymous
    2025-03-08T19:22:01+00:00

    Thank you for flagging this! Looking forward to updating (for once). I will report back.

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