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
    2024-12-19T22:22:57+00:00

    I am having exactly the same issue. It’s seems that it is still not resolved.

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  2. Anonymous
    2024-12-13T01:24:51+00:00

    Thanks for this temporary workaround. I have tried all the other suggestions mentioned here such as highlighting a different portion of the text, but this can only be done if the comment is new. If the comment already has few ongoing comments from others, this method can't be used. Also, it's not too full proof as the comment can disappear again suddenly. Now I understand it's due to unaccepted formatting changes. I tried accepting the format changes and true enough, the comment appear again in Contextual view. Jennifer mentioned earlier this problem occurs ever since a Microsoft update? Coz I remember Word has never had any such issues before with the comments, even with all the formatting changes and this only occur for me in the past few months. I thought it was a corruption with my laptop that causes this, but since sooo many of you are reporting the same issue, then it's definitely a bug. I have also reported to Microsoft directly via their Help function, but so far don't have very high hopes they will respond or even try to find a fix.

    If anyone knows someone connected to Microsoft, can they please get the word out to fix this small, but verry annoying issue. As mentioned by most people here that uses Word often, being able to view the comments in Contextual view and track changes (including formatting), is crucial for certain lines of work, so this issue has caused additional unnecessary challenges.

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  3. Anonymous
    2024-12-02T16:46:12+00:00

    Yes, thanks. Unfortunately, the reality of document collaboration is that track changes/formatting changes and comments often coincide with one another. It just needs to work properly.

    All collaborative documents on my end are confidential and cannot be shared.

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  4. Anonymous
    2024-12-02T08:59:29+00:00

    Hi.

    I have tried to find the reason fro this behavior, and posted a suggestion Oct 22nd.

    In short, comments do not show "inline" when the text that the comments are linked to certain tracked changes (e.g. formating change). I.e. MS Word cannot handle both a comment and a tracked formating change to a word/text, and prioritize the tracked change and "remove" the comment from inline view.

    This error can easily be reproduced by typing some text, make a formatting change to one word, and then add a comment to the same word. A soon as you submit the comment it "disappears" - although it can be found in the list view. Note that other changes to the text, like spelling etc, does not cause the problem.

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  5. Anonymous
    2024-11-05T22:17:00+00:00

    I have the exact same problem! It has impeded my ability to work on complex edits to a book draft with my editor. Is there a solution yet? My only work-around has been to duplicate my comments in bold and in brackets within the text--far from ideal!

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