Lesson 20: Using Suggestion Mode to Track Changes

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Using Suggestion mode to track changes

When multiple people are working on a document, it's helpful to see how the document changes and grows over time. Google Docs lets you track any edits that are made, comment on them, and decide whether they should be added to the document. Google Docs calls this feature Suggestion mode, but it's very similar to the Track Changes feature in Microsoft Word.

Watch the video below to learn how to track changes in Google Docs.

Tracking changes in Google Docs

To track changes in Google Docs, you have to switch from Editing mode to Suggestion mode. Click the pencil icon underneath the Share button, and choose Suggesting from the drop-down menu.

clicking suggesting

While in Suggestion mode, any text that you add is highlighted and any text you delete is crossed out. To the right, a suggestion box appears with every change. This gives other users a chance to review changes before they're made permanent.

making two suggestions

Reviewing changes

You can also see changes suggested by other people. If you have a question about a particular change, you can leave a comment in the suggestion box. Click the suggestion box, click the text field, write a response, and click Reply.

replying to another suggestion

To approve a change, click the checkmark. It will then become part of the document. To reject a change, click the X, and the suggestion will disappear.

accept or reject a change

To leave Suggestion Mode, click Suggesting in the top-right corner and select Editing.

clicking editing

While in editing mode, you can still accept, reject, or comment on suggestions, but you can't create any new ones.

Tracking changes on your mobile device

Suggestion mode is also available in the mobile version of Google Docs. While viewing a document, tape the More icon.

tapping the more button

Turn on Suggest changes.

tapping suggest changes

Now you can track changes just like in the web browser version.

tracking changes

To review a suggestion, tap on it to select it. You can accept, reject, or leave a comment on any suggested change.

reviewing a suggestion

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