How to Edit the Author Name in Microsoft Word

Whether you’re updating a shared document, working under a different name, or just want to keep things professional, knowing how to change the author name in Microsoft Word can be useful. Fortunately, it’s quick and easy — if you know where to look.

Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to edit the author name in Microsoft Word.

1. Change the Author Name for Future Documents

If you want Microsoft Word to always show your preferred name when creating new documents, follow these steps:

On Windows:

1. Open Microsoft Word.
2. Click File in the top-left corner.
3. Select Options at the bottom of the sidebar.
4. Under the General tab, look for the Personalize your copy of Microsoft Office section.
5. Change the User name and Initials to what you want.
6. Click OK to save.

Now, every new document you create will use the name you set.

On Mac:

1. Open Microsoft Word.
2. Click Word in the top menu, then select Preferences.
3. Go to User Information.
4. Change the Name and Initials fields.
5. Close the preferences window.

That’s it. Your new name will now appear as the author in future documents.

2. Change the Author Name in an Existing Document

Sometimes, you need to change the author name in a file that’s already been created or edited.

Here’s how:

1. Open the document.
2. Click File > Info.
3. On the right side, under Related People, you’ll see the current author name.
4. Click Remove Person or Edit depending on the version.
5. Then click Add an Author and type in the new name.

Note: This doesn’t always change the original document properties. To fully update the metadata…

3. Edit the Metadata (Document Properties)

To permanently change the author listed in the file’s properties:

On Windows:

1. Click File > Info.
2. On the right, click Properties > Advanced Properties.
3. Go to the Summary tab.
4. Update the Author field.
5. Click OK to save.

On Mac:

You’ll need to use File > Properties if available, or adjust it via Finder by right-clicking the file and editing metadata using a third-party tool like Adobe Acrobat or a metadata editor.

Bonus Tip: Clear Personal Info

If you’re sharing a document and want to remove your name entirely:

1. Go to File > Info.
2. Click Check for Issues > Inspect Document.
3. Run the inspection, then choose to remove Document Properties and Personal Information.

Final Thoughts

Changing the author name in Microsoft Word isn’t hard — once you know where to look. Whether you’re updating your profile, revising existing files, or scrubbing your name before sharing, the process takes just a few clicks.

Need more quick Microsoft Word tips? Drop a comment below or check out our other tutorials.