Easy Workaround to Unlock Lock Tracking

Redlining can be frustrating when you're not sure how to use MS Word's Track Changes features. My name is?Nada Alnajafi. I'm a seasoned in-house attorney, blogger, author, and speaker who loves working with contracts and talking about redlines.

Pretty nerdy, right? ????

Well I'm here to share some redlining tips, tricks, and workarounds with you so that you can stop getting distracted by redlining annoyances and spend more of your focus on the heart of the negotiation!

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What is Lock Tracking?

Lock Tracking is a feature in MS Word that uses password protection to block other users from turning Track Changes off. Sounds great, right?! Wrong.

It is necessary to keep Track Changes on at all times until all parties agree to a final version of the contract. The problem with using Lock Tracking is that blocks other users from using all of the Track Changes features. For example, when Lock Tracking is on:

• You can only move forward in the revision process, not backwards. That means that if you make an edit and then later want to go back and revise the edit, you won't be able to. This can result in incorrect redlines.
• You can only proposed edits, you can't Accept or Reject edits. That means you are in a one-way redlining exercise. This can slow down the negotiation process.
• You can feel as though your point of view is unwelcomed. This can damage the collaborative nature that we should be fostering in commercial contract negotiations.

So while it seems nice in theory, using Lock Tracking is not suitable for commercial contract negotiations (unless there's a special use case and you clear it with all involved parties).

I'll be talking about smarter redlining practices on August 10th with Olga Mack. Register here to join the conversation!

What is the easy workaround to unlock Lock Tracking from a document?

While it's best to establish negotiation procedures beforehand so all parties are aligned, knowing some key workarounds can help you drive the negotiation forward and avoid having to wait for the other party to get back to you.?Here's how to unlock a document with Lock Tracking in under 30 seconds.

1. Stay calm.

2. Save the locked document to your computer.

3. Open a new blank document in Word.

4. Go to Insert > Object > Select Text From File.

5. Navigate to and select the locked file, and click Insert.

And voila! What you get is a new, unlocked Word document reflecting all formatting, redlines, and comments from the original document.?

Is it rude or unprofessional to unlock a document with Lock Tracking?

Removing Lock Tracking isn't rude or unprofessional. But adding Lock Tracking to a document can be.

I have never had another party question my use of this workaround or respond negatively to it. I'll just say, "Please find our proposed redlines attached and note that we turned Lock Tracking off to make our review process more efficient. Thank you!"

If you received a document with Lock Tracking and are a little nervous to use this workaround, then you can simply ask the other party to send over a version of the contract that does not contain Lock Tracking. Just be aware that this option may end up delaying the contract review process. The key with making requests like this, similar to adding explanatory comments in redlines, is that you explain why you are making this request. For example, I'll usually say, "Can you please provide a version of this document without Lock Tracking? This will make our review process much faster. We will be sure to keep Track Changes on so that you have an opportunity to review all of our edits. Thank you!"

If you're the party who sent the document with Lock Tracking on, don't fret if the other party does this. You can simply run a doc comparison to double check what was changed.

Credit goes to?Teresa Schmitt?for teaching me this excellent workaround!

If you're interested in learning more about redlining best practices and contracts in general, check out my newest book?Contract Redlining Etiquette?(also available?in India?now!) and?subscribe to the?Contract Nerds?blog. It's safe to say that I'm a total #contractnerd! Are you?