Way 1. Change Tracking View

The Track Changes feature in Microsoft Word simplifies revision tracking by clearly displaying all modifications made to a document. However, if you convert a Word file to PDF or print it without choosing the correct settings, tracked edits and comments may still appear in the final output. 

Here’s how to not include comments in Word when converting to PDF before sharing the file.

Step 1. Open your document in Microsoft Word, where the changes, comments, and review notes are visible. From the top ribbon, select the Review tab.

Step 2. While in Reviewing mode, Track Changes is usually active. To stop tracking new edits, click the Track Changes button to turn it off.

You can also switch to Editing mode from the top-right corner of the screen.

Remember. After disabling Track Changes, the previously marked text may still appear in red because the changes have not yet been accepted.

Step 3. To remove red-marked edits and restore normal text appearance, go to the Review tab.

Step 4. Navigate to Accept and confirm by selecting Accept All Changes or Accept All Changes and Stop Tracking.

This helps complete the editing process and produces a polished document.

Way 2. Use the Print Menu

A simple method to hide comments is to change the Print settings before converting the file to PDF. Many users do not realize that Word automatically includes comments and tracked changes in the output if the proper option is not selected. As a result, review notes and marked edits may appear in the final file.

Follow the steps below to hide comments in Word when converting to PDF through the Print menu.

Step 1. In Word, access the File menu and select Print to view printing options. You have the option to print either the full document or only selected pages.

Step 2. In the Settings section, locate the Print Markup option. If activated, Word will display all tracked revisions, comments, and edits when printing.

Step 3. Click to uncheck Print Markup so that only the final content is printed.

After disabling this option, your document will print as a clean copy, with no visible revisions or comments.

Check this guide if you lack the print feature:

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Way 3. Try the Save as Options

Once you enable Save as PDF, you can control the export content in Word. This method allows you to control which content gets published without deleting feedback from the original document. Follow these steps to hide comments when saving a document as a PDF using Save As.

Step 1. Open the file, select File > Save As, and pick the folder to save your document.

Step 2. From the file type dropdown menu, select PDF as the output format.

Step 3. Before clicking Save, select the Options button. In the Options window, look for the section labeled Publish what.

Step 4. Choose Document instead of Document showing markup. This prevents comments and tracked changes from showing in the exported file.

Step 5. Click OK. And then click Save to generate a clean PDF.

​Bonus Tip: How to Convert Word to PDF without Losing Formatting

When exporting a document, maintaining the original layout is just as important as removing comments. Document conversion can often lead to formatting, image alignment, or font issues for many users. This is why using a dependable tool to convert Word to PDF without losing formatting is essential.

SwifDoo PDF is recommended here. It provides a practical solution for accurate and stable conversions. It preserves every font, table, image, and spacing detail from the original file. This helps your final document appear professional and consistent.

Along with file conversion, the tool also helps you hide comments in PDF documents if required. With these features, you can produce a clean, well-formatted PDF without concerns about layout issues or visible review comments.

Follow these steps to convert Word to PDF without losing formatting with SwifDoo PDF.

Step 1. Download and launch SwifDoo PDF on your computer. From the main dashboard, select Convert in the top menu bar. And go to the Office to PDF option in the secondary menu bar.

Step 2. Tap +Add Files to upload the Word documents you wish to convert.

Step 3. Select the Output Path to specify where to store the converted document, then click Start.

After the conversion finishes, click Edit to access the tools and make any needed changes to the PDF.

Wrapping Up

Knowing how to hide comments in Word when converting to PDF is important for producing clean and professional documents. By changing tracking views, print settings, or Save As options, you can exclude comments and tracked changes from the final document.

Still, make sure to review the export settings before sending any important files. Apply these simple steps today to ensure your PDFs look polished, secure, and ready for professional use. By the way, if you care about formatting, SwifDoo PDF can do you a favor!