“Modern Comments” are rolling out to subscribed Windows users and Word for Web rather like a steam roller over rubber duckies. This new MS Word “feature” is interrupting workflow for many and may render some functions inside them inoperable (such as autocomplete and search). Here’s what to expect:
- A Comment will not “publish” until you click the paper-airplane Post button (or type ctrl + enter — cmd + enter on a Mac)
- ESC doesn’t exit a Comment but does erase it
- A Comment can’t be added until the previous one is posted (done)
- Comments can only be edited by the originator, the announcement says—though our test showed otherwise
- Editing a Comment requires selecting “Edit” from the meatball menu on the comment’s window—don’t forget to click “Post” again when you’re done!
- An additional Comments Pane beside the markup pane further narrows the document field
Some Good News
The Comments Pane isn’t necessary unless you want to see those comments that have been resolved.
Users of older versions of Word can see moDeRn cOMmEntS, even though some wording in the directions makes it sound like they can’t. This was not a problem in our test with either Word 2016 or 2010, or between Mac and PC. (This could change as they roll out the “feature” to more subscribers and further tweaks are made. Early reports that spellcheck and search don’t work in Modern Comments seem to have been resolved.)
For Mac, Too
Don’t count your blessings, subscribed Mac users, moDeRn cOMmEntS are coming your way too.
Tell MS What You Think
What we wanted was the ability to leave a comment in a footnote or end note. What we got was extra steps.
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