Microsoft has released a new feature for Word Online that is designed to improve the ability to collaborate with others. This is quite a welcomed addition because we must say, Word Online, in many ways, is lagging behind Google Docs. But from what we are seeing, it would appear as if Microsoft is keen on closing the gap with a new feature known as Can Review, which is something we can stand behind. Yes, we understand that Microsoft Word on the desktop is more widely used than Word Online, but with everything becoming cloud-based, it is clear the software giant cannot ignore Word Online as Google Docs slowly gains a large following.

How to use Review Mode feature in Word Online

Now, we must point out that it has already been possible for users to share Microsoft Word documents with others via Editing mode and View-only mode. If folks want to allow others to leave comments and suggestions without modifying the document, then there is no way to get it done.

No matter what, the user must enable the full editing permission option, which will effectively allow others to have full write access.

Google has long solved this problem with Docs, and finally, Microsoft has decided to catch up after many years of being in the rearview mirror.

To take full advantage of the Review Mode feature in Microsoft Office Word Online, follow these steps:

1. Navigate to Word Online website
2. Open the Word document
3. From within the document, please click on the Share button.
4. After that, select Share via the drop-down menu.
5. The next step, then, is to add the emails of those you want to share the document with.
6. From there, click on the pencil icon to the right of the text field.
7. A drop-down menu will appear.
8. From that menu, please select Can Review from the list.

Let us look at the steps involved in detail.

Visit Word Online website

To begin, we must take a jump over to the Microsoft Word Online website. This is easily done, as you might expect.

• Open your favorite web browser.
• From there, navigate to www.office.com.
• Please sign in with your official credentials.
• Next, you can click on a Word document to open it.

Alternatively, you can open a new document by clicking on the Word icon via the left panel, then select New Blank Document.

Use the Can Review feature

Now that a document is opened and up and running, we must begin the process of sharing it with others so they can leave comments without the ability to edit.

• From within the document, please click on the Share button.
• After that, select Share via the drop-down menu.
• The next step, then, is to add the emails of those you want to share the document with.
• From there, click on the pencil icon to the right of the text field.
• A drop-down menu will appear.
• From that menu, please select Can Review from the list.

Alternatively, the option is there to choose Can Review from the Link Settings for anyone who wants to share by links rather than emails.

3] Important things you need to know

A few things you should take into consideration if you’re interested in taking full advantage of what Review Mode has to offer.

What is Office Online Review Mode?

OK, so what is Review Mode, then? Well, it is a feature designed to help users share documents with others for review. When this is done, the third-party personnel won’t have the option to edit the document, but they will be able to add suggestions in the form of comments.

Not only that, but they can track changes whenever they are made to the document in real-time. Now, whenever a suggestion is added, the owner of the document along with other collaborators who have full permission to edit can choose to approve or disapprove the suggested changes.

Availability

At the moment, the Review Mode is available in Word for the web. Not only that, but if you’re a part of the Beta Channel, Current Channel (Preview), and Current Channel, then you can use the Review Mode feature via Microsoft Word for Windows and Mac.

Now, if you’ve checked but have not seen the feature, then in most cases the problem has much to do with Microsoft. The company releases new features over a certain period, which means, Review Mode won’t reach everyone at the same time. So, we suggest patience because things will go according to plan sooner rather than later.

Limitations

Now, there are a few limitations to the Review Mode feature we need to point out. For example, when it comes to sharing a document for review, it is only possible to do with documents stored in OneDrive/OneDrive for Business.

Additionally, documents that are saved in a SharePoint library act differently. You see, whenever a document is shared, the file permission settings for the library, according to our understanding, will take precedence.

This simply means that users who already have read/write access to a shared Review Mode document would open it in Editing mode. Not ideal because it defeats the purpose, but we expect Microsoft to fix the problem in the near future.

Read: How to add Code Blocks and Commands in Microsoft Word

Can I use Word Online for free?

Word online is a free service that is very similar to that of Google Docs in how it operates. Now, since it is based on the web and requires a web browser to use it, one must not go in expecting Word online to have all the features found in Microsoft Word for the desktop. Yes, this version of Word is powerful, but still very limited in its capabilities.

Is Word online better than Google Docs?

While we love to use Word online, we cannot be biased here and must admit that Google Docs is the better of the two hands down. This should not come as a surprise because Docs is the primary document editor for Google, while Word online is not for Microsoft.

Can Google Docs do everything Word can?

Google Docs can do a lot of things for certain, but it doesn’t compare to Microsoft Word in no shape or form, and we do not expect this to change. The only document editor that can hold a candle to Word is the open-source tool, Libre Office which is available for both Linux operating systems and Windows.