How do you keep track of formatting changes or revisions when working on a collaborative project?

1 Use a style guide

A style guide is a set of rules and standards that define how your document should look and sound. It can cover aspects such as fonts, headings, margins, citations, spelling, grammar, tone, and voice. A style guide can help you and your team maintain a uniform and professional appearance, as well as avoid confusion and errors. You can create your own style guide or use an existing one, such as APA, MLA, or Chicago. Make sure that everyone on your team has access to the style guide and follows it consistently.

2 Track changes and comments

Most word processing software, such as Microsoft Word or Google Docs, have features that allow you to track changes and comments on your document. These features enable you to see who made what changes, when, and why, as well as to accept or reject them. You can also use comments to communicate with your team members, ask questions, give feedback, or suggest improvements. Tracking changes and comments can help you keep track of the history and progress of your document, as well as to resolve conflicts and disagreements.

4 Use formatting tools

Formatting tools are applications or extensions that help you format your document according to a specific style or standard. They can automate tasks such as inserting headings, tables, figures, references, footnotes, or page numbers, as well as check for errors or inconsistencies. Formatting tools can help you save time and effort, as well as to ensure accuracy and compliance. Some examples of formatting tools are EndNote, Zotero, Grammarly, or WordRake.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?