CounselLink Answer Center for Clients

Contract Redlines

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Redlines let you suggest, adjust, and track changes during contract reviews—whether collaborating internally or negotiating with a counterparty. This article explains how to create, modify, and manage redlines for clear communication and a smoother review process.

This article covers the following:

Creating and Managing Redlines

Redlining a contract means proposing edits to existing text. You can redline during:

  • Draft or Review stages (internal collaboration), or

  • Negotiate stage (counterparty collaboration)

You can also click directly into a contract section to propose edits.

Creating Redlines

  1. Hover over a part of the contract and click to start editing it. A comment window appears below.

  2. Edit the text as needed (add, delete, or modify). See the section below for information.
  3. When finished, click the button to select discussion visibility. See the Discussion items section to learn more.
  4. Click Post.

Adding or Removing Paragraphs

Once a contract is uploaded, the text editor automatically creates sections. Hover over one, and it will highlight blue. The following options then appear:

  1. Add paragraph above: Inserts a new paragraph above the selected section.
  2. Add paragraph below: Inserts a new paragraph below the selected section.
  3. Insert text from Word: Inserts Microsoft® Word® content below the section (only available if enabled for your organization).
  4. Delete this paragraph: Proposes deletion of the selected paragraph.
  5. Delete multiple paragraphs: Selects multiple paragraphs for deletion.
  6. Add comment: Adds a comment to the section without changing the text.

Managing Redlines

Removing Redlines

  1. Click the section that contains the redline.

  2. Hover over the redline and click Reject.

  3. Click Post.

Reviewing Edits and Comment History

Click the discussion symbol on the right of the text to view discussion history.

To redline or comment on a previous version:

  1. Select the relevant post/version in the right-side panel.

  2. The document view updates to that version.

  3. Click the text to propose changes or add a comment.

Discussion Items

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All document changes and comments are grouped into discussions. A new discussion starts when a user proposes a change or leaves a comment. You can find them under the Discussions tab.

Types of Discussions

There are three different discussion types.

Discussion Type Description
Internal

  • Visible only to your internal team

  • Team members may be notified by email

  • All users can create internal discussions and posts

  • Marked with an Internal label
External

  • Visible to the counterparty immediately

  • Counterparty may be notified by email

  • Only the Chief Negotiator and Leads can create external discussions/posts

  • Marked with an External label
Queued

  • Visible internally until released

  • Useful for batching changes and sending them to the counterparty together

  • When released, queued posts become External

  • Marked with a Queued label

To submit a queued post, click Make External in the discussion side panel.

Combining Internal and External Posts in One Discussion

During negotiation, a single discussion can include both internal and external posts. Your counterparty sees only the external posts; your team sees all posts.

This discussion contains internal and external posts. Your team sees both:

Resolving a Discussion

Revert to original contract text by selecting Discard Discussion in the right-side panel. This will discard all changes and close the discussion.

Click Reopen under the discussion panel to reopen it.

Adding Text to a Contract Document

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When you select Add paragraph above or Add paragraph below, a text-entry window appears.

  1. Type in the text. 
  2. Optional: Add a comment to the discussion item.

  3. Optional: Select the question mark icon to view a Clause library. This displays a repository of pre-approved clauses and standardized text for common negotiation points. Copy and paste as needed.

  4. Optional: Select the S icon to indicate the section contains a non-standard clause. 
  5. Select if you'd like the discussion to be internal, queued, or external. 
  6. Click Post.

The new paragraph appears in the document and creates a discussion item. You can also find it under the Discussions tab.

Inserting Text from Microsoft Word into a Contract

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Inserting text directly from Word lets you retain formatting. Once you choose a Word document, everything contained in it will be inserted directly below the selected portion.

  1. Select Insert text from Word after hovering over the section.

  2. Select the file from your computer.
  3. Click Open. 

The contents display directly below the selected section.

Deleting a Paragraph on a Contract

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Deleting a paragraph creates a discussion item until accepted or rejected.

  1. Click Delete this paragraph after hovering over the section.

    The section deletes, and a comment window displays.

  2. In the discussion window:
    • Optional: Add a comment.

    • Optional: Select the question mark icon to view a Clause library. 

    • Optional: Select the S icon to indicate the section contains a non-standard clause. 
    • Select if you'd like the discussion to be internal, queued, or external. 
  3. Click Post.

Deleting Multiple Paragraphs on a Contract

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Deleting multiple paragraphs creates a single discussion item until accepted or rejected.

  1. Select Delete multiple paragraphs after hovering over a section.

    The paragraph is crossed out, and check marks appear next to the other sections of the contract.

  2. Select additional paragraphs.

  3. Optional: Add a comment, use the Clause Library, or mark as non-standard.

  4. Select Internal, Queued, or External visibility.

  5. Click Post. 

Adding Comments to a Contract

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Comments appear as a word bubble next to the contract section and under the Discussions tab. They are useful for starting discussions with users or suggesting changes before making them. 

Adding a New Comment to the Contract

  1. Select Add comment after hovering over a section.

    The comment window displays below the selected section.

  2. Enter your comment.

  3. Optional: use the Clause Library or mark non-standard (if applicable).

  4. Select Internal, Queued, or External visibility.

  5. Click Post.

Adding a Comment on a Text Selection

  1. Click the paragraph containing the text.
  2. Highlight the text section.

  3. Click the speech bubble.

  4. Enter the comment.
  5. Click Post.

Adding a Comment to an Existing Discussion

  1. Click the Discussions tab.

  2. Select the relevant discussion.

  3. Enter your comment.

  4. Click Post.

Uploading Counterparty Redlines During Classic Negotiation

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If a counterparty sends a revised contract version outside CLM (e.g., via email), you can upload it to compare changes.

Uploading a New Version of the Contract

  1. Find the contract.

  2. Click Upload new version.

    If you don't see this button, determine: is this contract in Classic Negotiation? Do you have the proper role (Chief Negotiator or Lead)?

  3. Upload the document in the window. CLM compares it with the existing version. The results display all new redlines.
  4. Review the differences identified and click Upload. 

Checking Your Role in the Contract

If you still don’t see Upload new version:

  • Hover over your avatar/initials in the document header and confirm your role is Chief Negotiator or Lead.

  • If you are a Reviewer, you cannot upload new versions.

  • Contact the Chief Negotiator to adjust your role if needed.

Using Paragraph Level Lists

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When working with numbered or bulleted lists:

  • Decrease list level (indent further): Press Tab

  • Increase list level (outdent): Press Shift + Tab