Changing visual settings for "Comments"

[NightlyWay]

THIS IS A BIT WORDY, BUT THE DILEMMA IS EXTREMELY
SPECIFIC...

Throughout most versions of Word, electronic comments can
be attached to verbiage or sections of a document, for
passing on editting thoughts and general notations.

In past versions, this insert was noted by highlighting in
yellow, the section to which the comment pertained. A
person would only see the comment if they placed their
mouse's cursor on the highlighted area.

In the current version of Word, the comment is shown by
shifting the entire document to create a margin, in which
the comments are visible at all times. Rather than
highlighting the pertinent area in yellow, there is a more
subtle noting, but then a line from the pertinent area, to
this 'modified margin' leads the viewer to the 'comment'.

If one is only concerned with comments, this is fine, but
if a person is also trying to review the layout,
this 'shifting'-to-make-a-comments-margin makes this
impossible.

IS THERE A WAY TO REVERT THE DISPLAY OF COMMENTS TO THE
OLD DISPLAY METHOD OF HIDING THE COMMENTS BUT HIGHLIGHTING
THE ASSOCIATED SECTION?

[Suzanne S. Barnhill]

Actually, this new feature ("balloons") was introduced at the specific
request of users who produce highly formatted documents (publishers) because
it allows them to view documents with "markup" (additions and deletions)
without changing the layout. If you're using comments only, you may want to
turn off the balloons, but you'll be able to view the comments only in the
Reviewing Pane. It is generally agreed that the innovations in Track Changes
and other markup in Word 2002 were poorly implemented; Word 2003 corrects
many of the deficiencies in this regard, including restoring the shading
(now color coded to match the markup color, however--not always yellow) and
the popup ScreenTip.

I'm afraid there's nothing you can do to improve the situation in Word 2002,
but I can assure you that when you get around to upgrading to Office 2003,
you will find the situation much improved.

--
Suzanne S. Barnhill
Microsoft MVP (Word)
Words into Type
Fairhope, Alabama USA
Word MVP FAQ site: http://www.word.mvps.org
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Post by NightlyWay
THIS IS A BIT WORDY, BUT THE DILEMMA IS EXTREMELY
SPECIFIC...
Throughout most versions of Word, electronic comments can
be attached to verbiage or sections of a document, for
passing on editting thoughts and general notations.
In past versions, this insert was noted by highlighting in
yellow, the section to which the comment pertained. A
person would only see the comment if they placed their
mouse's cursor on the highlighted area.
In the current version of Word, the comment is shown by
shifting the entire document to create a margin, in which
the comments are visible at all times. Rather than
highlighting the pertinent area in yellow, there is a more
subtle noting, but then a line from the pertinent area, to
this 'modified margin' leads the viewer to the 'comment'.
If one is only concerned with comments, this is fine, but
if a person is also trying to review the layout,
this 'shifting'-to-make-a-comments-margin makes this
impossible.
IS THERE A WAY TO REVERT THE DISPLAY OF COMMENTS TO THE
OLD DISPLAY METHOD OF HIDING THE COMMENTS BUT HIGHLIGHTING
THE ASSOCIATED SECTION?