Changing the author’s name in Microsoft Word is straightforward and essential in document sharing or collaboration. It allows you to maintain clarity in your document’s ownership. This guide discusses how to change the author name in Word, regardless of your version, whether you’re using a personal computer or an online version.
Table of Contents
Understanding Document Properties
Before diving into the steps, knowing what document properties are is useful. Properties are information about the file, making identifying, managing, and organizing it easier. Maintaining the author’s name is crucial for collaboration, particularly when several individuals edit a document.
Step-by-Step Guide on How to Change Author in Word
Follow these steps to change the author’s name in Word. It’s a simple process that requires only a few clicks.
For Microsoft Word 2013 and Later Versions
- Open the Document: Launch Microsoft Word and open the document for which you wish to change the author name.
- Access the File Tab: Click the “File” tab in the program’s top left corner.
- Select Info: With the new menu, select “Info.” This action will bring up document properties.
- View Properties: On the right side of the screen, you will see property information, including the current author’s name.
- Edit the Author Name: Look for a section titled “Related People” (or something similar). Here, you can see the Author field. Click on it and type in the new author name you want.
- Save Changes: Save the document once you’ve input the new name. Press the “Ctrl + S” keyboard shortcut or click the “Save” icon.
- Check the Change: To confirm your change, return to the “File” tab, select “Info,” and check whether the Author name reflects the modification.
For Microsoft Word 2010 and Earlier
If you’re using an older version of Word, the steps are quite similar but slightly modified:
- Open Your Document: Launch Microsoft Word and access the document you want to edit.
- File Menu: Click “File” in the screen’s upper-left corner.
- Select Properties: Choose “Properties” from the dropdown list.
- Edit Summary Tab: Navigate to the “Summary” tab. You’ll see fields for “Author,” “Title,“ and other descriptive information here.
- Change the Author Name: Tap the Author field and enter your desired new name.
- Apply Changes: Click “OK“ to confirm the changes and close the properties window.
- Save Your Document: Remember to save the file to keep the changes.
Changing Author in Word for Mac
If you’re using Microsoft Word for Mac, here’s how to change the author name:
- Open Your Document: Launch Word and load the document you want to edit.
- Navigate to Tools: At the top menu bar, click “Tools,“ then select “Protect Document.”
- Click on the “Restrict Formatting and Editing“ option: A sidebar will appear. Click the “Stop Protection“ button if your document is currently protected.
- Edit author Name: Go to “File“ and select “Properties.“ You can change the Author name in the “Summary“ tab.
- Confirm Changes: Hit “OK“ to save your changes.
- Save the Document: Save the document again to keep the new author’s name.
Tips for Managing Document Authors
Here are some additional insights and tips that can help streamline your process when dealing with document authorship.
- Co-Authoring Features: With Microsoft Word’s collaborative features, you might work with multiple authors. Ensure everyone knows how to update the author field for clarity in document ownership.
- Version Control: If you frequently change authors, consider maintaining a version history. This way, you can track who made which changes and when.
- Consistency: If you manage multiple documents, keep the author names consistent across files for branding and recognition purposes.
- Customizing Document Properties: Explore other document properties, such as titles and keywords. This tip can be crucial for identifying and retrieving documents quickly.
Common Issues and Troubleshooting
While changing the author in Word is generally straightforward, you may encounter some issues. Here’s how to handle them.
Problem: The Document is Protected
It may be protected if the document is locked and you cannot edit the author’s name. You must unprotect it if you have the password or contact the document owner.
Problem: Changes Not Saving
After making changes, if the new author name doesn’t appear, ensure you click “Save.” Also, verify that you have the necessary permissions to modify document properties.
Frequently Asked Questions Related to How To Change Author In Word
Q. How do I change the author in Word on a mobile device?
A. Open the document, tap on the three dots for more options, select “Document Properties,“ and change the author name.
Q. Can I bulk change author names in Word documents?
A. There’s no built-in feature for bulk changing author names, but you can use a macro if you’re comfortable coding.
Q. Will changing the author’s name affect the document’s content?
A. No, changing the author’s name does not change the document’s content; it merely updates the document property.
Q. What happens if I open a document created by someone else?
A. The author field remains as the original owner until you change it. You can edit the author’s name following the regular steps.
Q. Is the author’s name visible when I print the document?
A. No, the author’s name is part of the document properties and isn’t printed; however, you can include it in a footer if desired.
Q. Can I hide the author’s name when sharing documents?
A. You can remove the author’s name by changing or clearing the property before sharing the document.
Q. What should I do if I accidentally change the author’s name?
A. Simply repeat the steps to set it back to the original name.
Q. Can I change the author name in a document saved in the cloud?
A. Yes, as long as you have editing rights, you can change the author name for documents saved on cloud services like OneDrive.
Q. How does co-authoring affect the author field?
A. In co-authoring, the initial author stays as the document property. Individual contributions are not marked separately unless manually added.
Q. Does changing the author name affect document tracking?
A. No, document tracking remains intact. Changes will still record actions by all authors regardless of the author name displayed.
Conclusion
Changing the author in Word is essential, especially for students, teachers, and collaborative teams. This capability improves document management and maintains a professional appearance in your work. Check your document properties regularly and keep your author information current.
