Keeping Tracked Additions Blue After Accepting All Changes in Microsoft Word

When using Track Changes in Microsoft Word, inserted text often appears in blue. After accepting all changes, Word removes the revision metadata and the inserted text typically reverts to the default font color.

This note documents a reliable way to accept all tracked changes while preserving added text in blue.

Core Idea

Tracked insertions must be converted into real font formatting before the changes are accepted. This can be achieved using a short VBA macro.

Solution: VBA Macro

The macro below:

1. Identifies tracked insertions
2. Applies a real blue font color
3. Accepts the revision

Sub PreserveBlueInsertions()
    Dim oRev As Revision
    For Each oRev In ActiveDocument.Revisions
        If oRev.Type = wdRevisionInsert Then
            oRev.Range.Font.Color = wdColorBlue
        End If
        oRev.Accept
    Next
End Sub

How to Use

1. Open the document with Track Changes still enabled
2. Press Alt + F11 to open the VBA editor
3. Insert a new Module
4. Paste the macro above
5. Run the macro

Result

• Original text remains black
• Added text stays blue
• Deleted text is removed
• All Track Changes are cleared

Reference (Courtesy)

This method is based on a long-standing community solution:

How can I accept track changes without losing the font colour?
Thread starter: Anupam (Sydney, Australia), Nov 30, 2009
Macro provided by: Greg Maxey
PCReview Forums
https://www.pcreview.co.uk/threads/how-can-i-accept-track-changes-without-loosing-the-font-colour.3931588/

Summary

To preserve visually identifiable additions after accepting all tracked changes, convert tracked insertions into real font color using a VBA macro before finalizing the document.