How do you copy deleted text in Microsoft Word?

Being able to have Microsoft Word keep track of the changes you make on the fly is great, but what should you do if you need to copy previously deleted text without rejecting the work you have already done? Today's SuperUser Q&A post has some helpful tips for a frustrated reader's copy-text problems..

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The question

Tomas superuser reader wants to know how to copy deleted text in Microsoft Word:

I want to copy text that was marked as deleted in previous revisions of my document and later paste it into another document. But when I select it with the mouse and go to copy it, dice “The selection is marked as deleted text” and nothing is copied to the clipboard. Is there any other solution other than to reject the deletion?

How do you copy deleted text in Microsoft Word?

The solution

Superuser contributor DavidPostill has the solution for us:

Solution 1

1. Select the deleted text plus an additional word.
2. Then you should be able to copy it without getting the error message.
3. Paste the text into the other document.
4. Delete the extra word.

Source: Unable to copy text marked as deleted [Office Forums]

Solution 2

Use the following VBA code:

Now I can go to any Balloon Track Change, choose deleted text and press Alt-1. Yes, maybe it's silly, but also can't copy selected deleted text in VBA. Despite this, you can create a public string variable that selects text.

Now I can move the selection out of the globe to wherever I want. I can hit Alt-2 and the previously selected deleted text is written. Decidedly, will be marked as a track change insert.

Note that when you move the selection outside of the Track Change balloon (where you took the deleted text), you can use the selection as you like. The content of the deleted text is in a string variable, NO text associated with the selection itself. You can do other things and when you are ready, type the deleted text with a Alt-2.

Source: Word dice “Marked as deleted text” [Tech-Tips]

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