Track Changes & Comments in Collaborative LaTeX
By Shihab Shahriar Antor · Updated June 2026 · 5 min read
You can track changes and comment in LaTeX two ways: markup packages like changes and todonotes that show additions, deletions, and margin notes in the PDF; or a collaborative editor like LetX, where co-authors comment inline and see each other’s edits live, like Google Docs for papers. Use packages for formal revision marks, the editor for real-time review.
Two ways to review LaTeX
| Approach | Best for | How |
|---|---|---|
| changes package | Formal revision marks in PDF | \added \deleted |
| todonotes | Margin to-dos and questions | \todo{...} |
| Live editor (LetX) | Real-time review with co-authors | Inline comments |
Revision marks with the changes package
\usepackage[final]{changes} % 'final' hides marks for submission
...
The result was \added{statistically }significant.
We \deleted{maybe }confirmed the hypothesis.
We \replaced{revised}{old} the wording.Switch the option to [final] to hide all marks for the clean submission version, or remove it to show them during review. Each edit can carry an author id so co-authors’ changes are color-coded.
Margin notes with todonotes
\usepackage{todonotes}
...
This claim needs a citation.\todo{add ref}
\missingfigure{plot of results here}Real-time comments in LetX
Markup packages are great for a formal revision trail, but for active co-writing they’re slow. You edit source and recompile to see notes. LetX adds Google-Docs-style review on top of live collaborative editing: leave an inline comment, see a co-author’s edits as they type, and resolve threads. No recompile to read feedback. Compare the full collaboration story in LetX vs Overleaf.
Comment and co-edit LaTeX in real time, free.
Open LetX FreeFrequently asked questions
Can you track changes in LaTeX?
Yes. The changes package marks additions, deletions, and replacements (\added, \deleted, \replaced) in the compiled PDF, with an option to hide them for submission. A collaborative editor like LetX also shows co-authors’ live edits directly.
How do I add comments in LaTeX?
Use the todonotes package for margin notes (\todo{...}) or % for source-only comments. In a collaborative editor like LetX you can leave inline comments that co-authors see and resolve without editing the source.
What is the difference between markup packages and a collaborative editor?
Markup packages (changes, todonotes) put revision marks and notes into the PDF and require a recompile to view. A collaborative editor like LetX shows comments and edits live in the browser, like Google Docs, better for active co-writing.
How do I hide track-changes marks for submission?
With the changes package, load it with the [final] option, \usepackage[final]{changes}, and all marks are hidden in the output while the commands remain in your source.
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Written by Shihab Shahriar Antor , AI Engineer & Founder of Shahriar Labs. Builder of LetX (collaborative LaTeX) and QuantumSketch (AI STEM video).