What is the purpose of using comments in Word documents?

Using comments in Word documents serves primarily to provide feedback without altering the content of the document. This is particularly useful in collaborative environments where multiple individuals may need to review, critique, or suggest changes. When comments are added, they do not modify the surrounding text, allowing the original content to remain intact while still conveying thoughts or suggestions.

This feature is advantageous during the editing and review process; reviewers can point out areas of concern or propose edits directly beside the relevant content, facilitating clearer communication. As documents are modified, the original writer can review the comments and decide whether to incorporate the suggested changes or not, enhancing the overall editing workflow.

The other options present distinct functions that do not align with the primary purpose of comments. Altering text formatting relates to the direct modification of the document’s appearance, not feedback. Increasing file size typically results from adding content or media rather than comments. Tracking document versions involves managing changes over time and preserving the history of edits, which is a separate functionality from comment usage.