Metadata in Word -- how much is there, really?

[OrphanAnnie]

Can anyone tell me how much metadata really exists in a Word doc?
Specifically, in an MS Word doc where the Track Changes feature has
never been used, do text revisions/deletions actually remain?

I'm aware that username, revision dates/times, etc., remain in the doc
unless scrubbed out. But altho I can view this info thru Word's
document properties, I've never been able to view revised/deleted text
in a doc if the Track Changes feature was never used. I've looked at
the Microsoft website but found nothing specific to this question.

 

[Jay Freedman]

No, if you don't turn on Track Changes, then the document doesn't retain any
revisions and saves only the final text.

Here are some references:

WD97:
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=223790
WD2000:
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=237361
WD2002:
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=290945

Remove Hidden Data add-in for Office 2003 and Office XP
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=834427

Protecting Personal Data in Your Word 2003 Documents
http://www.msdn.microsoft.com/library/en-us/odc_wd2003_ta/html/odc_WDProtectWord2003.asp

--
Regards,
Jay Freedman
Microsoft Word MVP
Email cannot be acknowledged; please post all follow-ups to the newsgroup so
all may benefit.

 

[Robert M. Franz (RMF)]

Hi Jay

No, if you don't turn on Track Changes, then the document doesn't retain any
revisions and saves only the final text.

[..]

Apart from the cases where Fast Saves are ticked on, I reckon?

Greetings
Robert

 

[OrphanAnnie]

I'd read the 2002 version article and that's what it sounded like to
me. But I wanted to be sure as I work in a law firm and metadata is a
hot topic for our industry. Thanks very much!

 

[Jay Freedman]

Hi Jay

No, if you don't turn on Track Changes, then the document doesn't
retain any revisions and saves only the final text.

[..]

Apart from the cases where Fast Saves are ticked on, I reckon?

Greetings
Robert

Well, yes, Fast Saves (at least until it crosses the invisible threshold and
does a full save), or if you have the Versions feature turned on and you
save intermediate revisions. Of course, either of those poses a substantial
risk of crashing or corruptiing your document, so maybe you don't have to
worry about metadata...

--
Regards,
Jay Freedman
Microsoft Word MVP
Email cannot be acknowledged; please post all follow-ups to the newsgroup so
all may benefit.