How to Remove Markup Area in Word When Printing (Step-by-Step Guide)

If you’ve ever printed a Word document only to find editing comments or track changes cluttering up the margins, you’re not alone. Microsoft Word’s “markup area” is handy during collaboration—but frustrating when you’re ready to print a clean, professional version.

Whether you're a Google Docs user switching between platforms or someone finalizing a client-ready file, this guide will show you how to remove the markup area in Word before printing.

Here’s how to do it in a few simple steps:

Steps to Remove the Markup Area in Word When Printing

1. Open Your Document in Microsoft Word

Launch Microsoft Word and open the file that contains comments or track changes. This feature is typically enabled during editing or team collaboration.

2. Go to the 'Review' Tab

At the top of your Word window, click the Review tab. This is where all markup and editing tools are located.

3. Turn Off Track Changes (If Active)

If Track Changes is turned on, you’ll see edits marked in red or blue. Click Track Changes to toggle it off . This stops Word from continuing to log edits.

4. Select 'No Markup' in the Display Settings

Under the Review tab, look for the Tracking group. Find the dropdown next to Display for Review and change it to No Markup . This hides all tracked changes and comments from view.

Pro Tip: Choosing "Simple Markup" still shows red lines in the margins. To completely remove them, stick with "No Markup."

5. Delete Comments (Optional, But Recommended)

If your document still has comment bubbles, click Show Comments , then right-click each comment and choose Delete Comment . You can also delete all comments at once by going to Review > Delete > Delete All Comments in Document .

6. Print a Clean Copy

Now that all markup is hidden or removed, go to File > Print . Word will now print your document without the markup area showing.

Bonus Tip for Google Docs Users

If you prefer working in Google Docs and need a quick way to publish or format documents for the web, try Docswrite.com. It's a powerful website that lets you write in Google Docs and instantly publish to your blog or website—perfect for content creators looking to streamline their workflow.

FAQ: Removing Markup Area in Word When Printing

Q1: Why is the markup area showing when I print?

The markup area shows when Track Changes or comments are still active in your document. Word defaults to printing what’s currently visible, including revisions.

Q2: Will selecting “No Markup” delete my edits?

No. “No Markup” only hides changes from view and printing. Your original tracked edits are still there until you accept or reject them.

Q3: Can I completely delete all changes and comments at once?

Yes! Go to Review > Accept > Accept All Changes and then Delete > Delete All Comments to clean your document in one go.

Q4: Is there a way to preview how it will print without markup?

Yes, go to File > Print and look at the print preview. If markup is still showing, double-check that you’ve selected No Markup .