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Configure conversion of redlined Microsoft Word documents

Learn how to set up the Conversion Service to convert Microsoft Word documents with tracked changes (revisions, also called redlining) to PDF.

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Track changes conversion is supported by both the Standard Converter and the local Microsoft Office installation. The Standard Converter enables this feature under Standard Converter Settings > Word Settings > Track Changes (Redlining). The local Office installation uses the setting described on this page.

Introduction to track changes​

The track changes in Microsoft Word highlight modifications made to a document, enabling users to review, accept, or reject changes collaboratively. The track changes to PDF (redlining) lets you convert Microsoft Word files into fully archived PDFs that preserve all revisions, comments, and annotations made using the track changes feature. This conversion is designed for legal professionals, corporate legal teams, and IT providers.

Key features can be listed as follows:

  • Full revision history: Retain a complete, transparent record of tracked changes for legal review.
  • Secure archiving: Convert documents to universally accessible, compliant PDF formats.
  • Efficiency and accuracy: Prevent data loss during conversion, streamlining legal and compliance workflows.
  • Support legal use cases: Enable regulatory compliance, audits, and legal reviews, with PDFs that preserve edits and annotations for universal compatibility.

Enable conversion of redlined documents​

The steps to enable track changes conversion depend on which Office conversion method you use. The Standard Converter is enabled by default and exposes a separate setting from the local Microsoft Office installation.

Standard Office conversion​

To enable track changes conversion with the Standard Converter, follow these steps:

  1. In the Conversion Service Configurator, go to the Conversion Service tab, and then find the Standard Converter Settings section.
  2. Under Word Settings, enable the Track Changes (Redlining) toggle.
  3. Click Apply, and then in the Changes detected dialog box, click Save & Restart Service.

Local Microsoft Office conversion​

To enable track changes conversion with a local Microsoft Office installation, follow these steps:

  1. In the Conversion Service Configurator, navigate to Workflows and Profiles, and then click the pen icon to edit the profile configuration.
  2. In the Office Conversion section, enable Track Changes (Redlining) toggle.
    Screenshot of the word track changes configuration in the office conversion settings.
  3. Click Apply, and then in the Changes detected dialog box, click Save & Restart Service.

Example of converted documents​

The following sections demonstrate the resulting PDFs after conversion.

Initial Microsoft Word document​

The following image displays a Microsoft Word document with tracked changes before conversion:

Screenshot of an initial Microsoft Word document with tracked changes.

Converted PDF with track changes enabled​

After conversion, the PDF preserves all tracked changes (redlining):

Screenshot of a converted PDF with track changes enabled.

Resulting PDF with track changes disabled​

After conversion, the PDF does not preserve tracked changes (redlining):

Screenshot of a converted PDF with track changes disabled.