ABF Guide · Local-first review workflow

How to turn Overleaf tracked changes into a reviewable PDF

Overleaf supports tracked changes during Reviewing. A normal source export and the review layer serve different purposes, so a PDF review copy needs an explicit workflow.

What the review layer contains

Reviewing can show tracked revisions and comments in the editor. Treat that context separately from the plain LaTeX source.

A safe export workflow

Keep the original project, capture only needed visible review items, export the current LaTeX source, annotate only unambiguous matches, and preserve uncertain items in an appendix.

When latexdiff is better

If you only need a diff between two LaTeX source versions, latexdiff can be more direct. Review export is useful when comments and live review context also matter.

Privacy and verification

Prefer local processing for manuscripts and reviewer feedback, and inspect generated LaTeX/PDF before sharing.

Use the local Review Exporter

Export visible Overleaf review comments and tracked-change information into LaTeX/PDF-ready annotations using a local-only workflow.

Use the local Review Exporter

Sources

Official Overleaf documentation used for feature context:

ABF — A Better Flow is independent software and is not affiliated with, sponsored by, or endorsed by Overleaf.