3 Simple Ways to Add Document Tags in Microsoft Word

Microsoft Word uses the word “tags” in a few different ways, and that can make the feature confusing. In most cases, people mean tags stored as document properties or file metadata that help identify, organize, and search for a document later.

This guide shows three practical ways to add tags in Microsoft Word, along with where each method is useful and what to expect when you save or share the file.

1. Add Tags from the Info Screen

The simplest way to tag a Word document is through the document properties shown in the Info area. This is the most common method if you want keywords attached to the file itself.

1. Open the document in Microsoft Word.
2. Click File, then select Info.
3. Look for the Properties area near the top right.
4. If you do not see Tags, click Show All Properties.
5. Click the Tags field and type one or more keywords.
6. Press Enter or click back in the document to save the tag in the file properties.

2. Use the Save As or File Properties Options in Windows

If the document is already saved, you can also add tags through the file properties in Windows. This is useful when you want to organize files without reopening them in Word.

1. In File Explorer, find the Word document.
2. Right-click the file and choose Properties.
3. Open the Details tab.
4. Find the Tags field.
5. Click in the value box and enter your tags, separating multiple tags with semicolons if needed.
6. Click Apply, then OK.

3. Add Tags with Custom Document Properties

For more control, you can create custom document properties in Word. This is useful when you want to track more than one kind of information, such as project name, client name, or document status.

1. Open the document in Word.
2. Click File, then Info.
3. Select Properties, then Advanced Properties.
4. Open the Custom tab.
5. Choose a property name or create a new one.
6. Select a type such as Text, Date, or Number.
7. Enter the value you want to store and click Add.
8. Click OK to save the custom property.

Which Tag Method Should You Use?

The best method depends on how you plan to use the tag. If you just want a quick keyword, the Info screen is usually the easiest option. If you want to organize documents from File Explorer, Windows file properties may be more convenient. If you need structured metadata, custom properties give you the most flexibility.

• Use Word’s Info screen for quick, simple tagging.
• Use Windows file properties if you want to edit tags directly from File Explorer.
• Use custom properties if you need extra fields beyond basic tags.

Checking or Removing Tags

If you want to review what has been added, return to the document properties in Word or check the file’s Details tab in Windows. You can edit or remove tags the same way you added them.

1. Open the document properties in Word or Windows.
2. Find the Tags field or custom property.
3. Delete the value or replace it with a new one.
4. Save the document or click Apply in Windows.