# The Future of Document Collaboration > TX Text Control X16 adds MS Word-compatible track changes for asynchronous document red lining and contract negotiation. The browser-based editor enables multi-author document sharing workflows, while SubTextParts support simultaneous section-based collaboration strategies. - **Author:** Bjoern Meyer - **Published:** 2018-10-22 - **Modified:** 2026-03-05 - **Description:** TX Text Control X16 adds MS Word-compatible track changes for asynchronous document red lining and contract negotiation. The browser-based editor enables multi-author document sharing workflows, while SubTextParts support simultaneous section-based collaboration strategies. - **3 min read** (527 words) - **Tags:** - ASP.NET - Collaboration - Document Editing - Release - Web Editing - **Web URL:** https://www.textcontrol.com/blog/2018/10/22/the-future-of-document-collaboration/ - **LLMs URL:** https://www.textcontrol.com/blog/2018/10/22/the-future-of-document-collaboration/llms.txt - **LLMs-Full URL:** https://www.textcontrol.com/blog/2018/10/22/the-future-of-document-collaboration/llms-full.txt --- We invested an enormous time researching document collaboration options and worked on red lining features for X16. There are several ways to work on the same document. The most requested way is the asynchronous way of red lining called track changes. ### MS Word Compatible Track Changes This feature is very popular in MS Word for negotiating contracts and agreements by making changes asynchronously. The document is usually shared by e-mail with another author who can reject or accept changes and make additional changes until both parties are happy with the results. In version X16, we are going to support MS Word compatible track changes. The following screenshot shows our upcoming Windows Forms version which features a complete track changes UI in the shipped ribbon interface: ![Document collaboration](https://s1-www.textcontrol.com/assets/dist/blog/2018/10/22/a/assets/screenshot-nda.webp "Document collaboration") ### Browser-Based Track Changes and Document Sharing Our browser-based editor for ASP.NET MVC and Web Forms (and therefore also the [Widget](https://www.textcontrol.com/technology/html5/) for other platforms) will support this feature as well which opens a complete new way of collaboration. Consider an application where documents can be shared between users. The users only need to use their browser, login to the application in order to review the shared document. According to a document workflow, other authors get notified when a document has been changed and they can review these changes on their side. TX Text Control allows unlimited authors to change a document. ![Document collaboration](https://s1-www.textcontrol.com/assets/dist/blog/2018/10/22/a/assets/distributed-redlining.webp "Document collaboration") All changes can be also modified programmatically to create statistics or to report changes to involved user groups. Such a document sharing platform eliminates the e-mail sending part and the application requirements such as MS Word. Although, TX Text Control track changes is compatible to MS Word and therefore, MS Word can be used to review these documents as well. ### Simultaneous Document Collaboration In the Text Control [Consulting](https://www.textcontrol.com/company/consulting/) group, we are working on a project helping the customer to implement a simultaneous document collaboration experience. The important aspect in this case is that other users are not allowed to change the section of another author. Unlike in Google Docs, authors are working on their document sections and the final document will be assembled dynamically when a section is saved. The following screen video shows this workflow. The top window shows author 1 editing the first section. When this section is saved, the virtual "assembled" documents get updated in all instances and is therefore visible to all authors: ![Document collaboration](https://s1-www.textcontrol.com/assets/dist/blog/2018/10/22/a/assets/animation-collab.webp "Document collaboration") To realize this, this implementation uses a master template with TXTextControl.TextControl.SubTextParts propertyto define the different sections for different users. Each *SubTextPart* is then loaded into an editor instance for each author and merged back into the master template after changing the section. This is just another way to implement collaboration strategies and TX Text Control provides very flexible structures to realize similar requirements. Let us know yours and stay tuned for version X16! --- ## About Bjoern Meyer As CEO, Bjoern is the visionary behind our strategic direction and business development, bridging the gap between our customers and engineering teams. His deep passion for coding and web technologies drives the creation of innovative products. If you're at a tech conference, be sure to stop by our booth - you'll most likely meet Bjoern in person. With an advanced graduate degree (Dipl. Inf.) in Computer Science, specializing in AI, from the University of Bremen, Bjoern brings significant expertise to his role. In his spare time, Bjoern enjoys running, paragliding, mountain biking, and playing the piano. - [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/bjoernmeyer/) - [X](https://x.com/txbjoern) - [GitHub](https://github.com/bjoerntx) --- ## Related Posts - [DocumentViewer 29.2 (29.0.302.500) Final Released](https://www.textcontrol.com/blog/2021/07/27/documentviewer-29-302-final-released/llms.txt) - [User Management Features in TX Text Control](https://www.textcontrol.com/blog/2018/12/13/user-management-features-in-tx-text-control/llms.txt) - [JavaScript: Removing TextFields on Backspace and Delete](https://www.textcontrol.com/blog/2018/10/24/javascript-removing-textfields-on-backspace-and-delete/llms.txt)