Sometimes it’s necessary to track changes after you’ve shared a contract with a signer. This can be very tricky when you’re dealing with a Word document attached to an email — but it’s easy to do in a contract management software tool.
For example, Concord enables you to track changes to a live online contract document at any point before the signature. Other signers can view your changes in real time. The software even generates an automatic audit trail, so anyone can see who made which changes.
How to track changes to a contract you’ve shared
The process of tracking contract changes is known as “redlining,” from the days when contract changes were marked on paper with red pen. In Concord, you can redline in real time.

Here’s how to track changes to a contract you’ve shared.
- Open the document from your Document Inbox and select Edit.
- Click Revisions in the top toolbar.
- Click the toggle button beside Track Changes (blue indicates it is active).
- Make your revisions (If there are multiple revisions with multiple parties, each party’s revisions will be color-coded in a different color).
- Click Save.
Once you’ve redlined your changes, other parties you’ve invited to a document can instantly see your changes online, using the same link you originally shared with them.
How to accept or reject changes to a contract
If another person in your Concord account makes changes to a document shared with you, you can accept or reject individual changes, or accept/reject all changes at once.
Here’s how to accept or reject a single change.
- Hover over the change icon (in the right-hand margin).
- Click the blue checkmark to accept or the X reject.
- All edits will remain visible on the right-hand side of the document until they have been resolved.
Here’s how to accept or reject all changes at once.
- Click Revisions.
- Select Accept all changes or Reject all changes.
- Until all changes are accepted or rejected, the signature button will be locked, and you will see a message indicating this is due to the remaining track changes that need to be addressed.
For more detailed collaboration, you can also make comments and have discussions — with both internal and external users — in the same live online contract doc.

Why track changes after sharing a contract?
Tracking changes after sharing a contract offers all the following advantages.
Greater flexibility
The ability to make changes after sending a contract offers greater flexibility in responding to evolving business needs or unforeseen circumstances. This adaptability is particularly beneficial in dynamic business environments where terms may need to be adjusted quickly and efficiently without renegotiating the entire contract.
Maintaining clarity and transparency
By tracking changes, you ensure that all parties involved are consistently updated on the latest terms and conditions of the contract. This helps prevent misunderstandings and disputes over what has been agreed upon, keeping everyone on the same page.
Promoting accountability
Tracking changes allows for a clear record of who made each change and the reason behind it. This is crucial during negotiations as it highlights the evolution of contract terms, aiding in strategic decision-making and fostering a transparent negotiation process.
Simplifying contract management
Using a contract management tool like Concord to track changes means maintaining a single, definitive version of the document that can be updated in real time. This approach not only saves time but also minimizes the risk of errors or inconsistencies, which are common when handling multiple document versions.
Enhancing legal compliance
A documented history of all changes made during the contract negotiation and execution phases is invaluable for compliance. A built-in contract audit trail serves as a reliable reference in case of any future disputes or legal challenges regarding the agreed-upon terms.
The importance of an audit trail
Another advantage of tracking changes in a contract management platform is the software’s automatic audit trail. This is a comprehensive record of all changes made to a contract. It helps in verifying the authenticity of the document, and provides a chronological log that can be critical in resolving disputes or misunderstandings.
An audit trail records who made each change, along with the date and time of those changes, offering a clear pathway through the negotiation and amendment process. This detailed documentation supports compliance efforts, providing proof of adherence to agreed-upon procedures and helping maintain transparency and accountability in business contracts.
In all these ways, tracking changes after sharing a contract helps you keep all parties aligned on the latest terms. It promotes accountability by recording who made each change, and manages the contract lifecycle efficiently. It also supports legal compliance by providing a detailed history of the contract’s evolution.
Additionally, you gain flexibility to adapt to changes and maintain an audit trail, which is crucial for resolving disputes and verifying document authenticity. This comprehensive approach helps you maintain transparency and accountability in your business agreements.