Fact 1: Metadata Exists in MS Office Documents

Microsoft Word Metadata is often essential to the document production process to automate formatting and reduce editing & collaboration time

For example the date fields (under document properties) are referenced when searching for documents created in a specified time frame, or to gain quick access to documents from “My Recent Documents”.

Tracked changes can be useful when editing a document with multiple co-counsel or associates to identify which editors that have made specific changes. .....

Fact 3: Metadata is Harmful

Metadata can be harmful when users unknowingly send out documents that contain confidential or potentially embarrassing information.

There have been many well publicized cases where tracked changes or hidden comments have been left in a document sent via e-mail or shared on the internet. Two examples of high profile metadata blunders can be found at the links below:

Hidden Text shows SCO Prepped a Lawsuit against BofA - A Microsoft Word document of SCO's suit against DaimlerChrysler originally identified Bank of America as the defendant instead of the automaker....