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How does an Editor change a Decision in Editorial Manager?
Last updated on October 03, 2026
Watch this short videoopens in new tab/window to see how to change a decision in Editorial Manager.
Decisions can be undone or Rescinded, only when none of the following is true:
- Author has begun the revision process. After this point the revise decision must stand.
- Final Disposition has been set to Accept.
- Another editor has Saved for Later a partial decision. That editor must fully submit their decision before it can be Rescinded.
- Submission is currently being Edited.
In most journals permission to Rescind lies only with roles such as Editor-in-Chief, Managing Editor, or Editorial Office. Please check with your Journal Manager or click the "Chat with us" icon at the bottom‑right for further assistance if you are unsure who can do this in your journal.
To quickly check the Decision status click View Reviews and Comments from the Action links and look at the column of the most recent Revision.
- The last listed editor with a decision term is the one whose decision could be rescinded.
- The first editor listed without a decision term is the current handling editor.
- If the author decision letter has been sent it is linked in the second to last row. In this example the Associate Editor’s decision could be rescinded, the Editor in Chief is the current handing Editor, and the Author Decision letter has not been sent.
If a decision letter has been submitted but the decision letter has not been sent, then there are several options to change the decision before it is sent.
- If the submission has moved forward to another Editor, then when that Editor makes a decision; they are able to edit the Comments to Author, and may be able to select a different decision term (depending on permissions).
- Any Editor with the correct permission can Rescind Decision to undo the most recent decision when the status allows.
- Go to 'Search Submissions' and locate the submission.
- Click 'Rescind Decision' on the action menu.
- The Rescind decision screen will confirm which editor's decision is being Rescinded, and allow you to customize a letter to that editor explaining why the decision is being undone.
- If you are rescinding some other editor's decision, it is always recommended to customize the letter and explain why, this also lets you know if any other people will be notified.
- If you are rescinding your own decision you may choose to Rescind without Sending Letter.
- When you send the letter, the submission returns to that Editor's task list as Required Reviews Complete.
- When multiple Editors have made decisions that need to be undone, it is possible to repeat these actions until there is no decision found to be Rescinded.
During the Notify Author stage, if the Notifying Editor has appropriate permission, they have an opportunity to Rescind and return the submission back to the last editor who made a decision.
- On the 'Notify Author' page, click the link 'Rescind Decision: Return to [Editor]'.
- The Rescind Decision screen will confirm which editor's decision is being Rescinded, and allow you to customize a letter to that editor explaining why the decision is being undone.
- When you send the letter, the submission returns to that Editor's task list as Required Reviews Complete.
If the decision letter has been sent, then click 'Details' and look for the Final Disposition Term.
No Final Disposition Term
When the last action was a decision letter sent and there is no Final Disposition, an Editor with appropriate permissions can rescind the most recent decision as long as the author has not begun a revision.
- Go to 'Search Submission' and locate the submission.
- Click 'Rescind Decision' on the action menu.
- The Rescind decision screen will confirm which editor's decision is being Rescinded, and allow you to customize a letter to that editor explaining why the decision is being undone.
- If you are rescinding some other editor's decision, it is always recommended to customize the letter and explain why, this also lets you know if any other people will be notified.
- If you are rescinding your own decision you may choose to Rescind without Sending Letter.
- When you send the letter, the submission returns to that Editor's task list as Required Reviews Complete.
- When multiple Editors have made decisions that need to be undone, it is possible to repeat these actions until there is no decision found to be Rescinded.
Final Disposition Term Accept
It is not possible to Rescind after Final Disposition Accept. The submission has already been sent to Production. Contact your Journal Manager urgently if an Accepted submission needs to be held back from publication for any reason.
Final Disposition Term Reject
There are two options for Rejected submissions:
- Rescind Decision: Recommended if the decision was made in error. The last decision is undone, and the submission returns to the task list of the Editor who made that decision.
- Go to 'Search Submission' and locate the submission.
- Click 'Rescind Decision' on the action menu
- The Rescind decision screen will confirm which editor's decision is being Rescinded, and allow you to customize a letter to that editor explaining why the decision is being undone.
- If you are rescinding some other editor's decision, it is always recommended to customize the letter and explain why, this also lets you know if any other people will be notified.
- If you are rescinding your own decision you may choose to Rescind without Sending Letter.
- When you send the letter, the submission returns to that Editor's task list as Required Reviews Complete.
- When multiple Editors have made decisions that need to be undone, it is possible to repeat these actions until there is no decision found to be Rescinded.
- Initiate rebuttal: Recommended when the original decision was valid but the author has requested a chance to Revise and be considered again. Leaves the original decision in place, but sends a new Revision letter to the author and allows the submission to be revised.
- Go to 'Search Submission' and locate the submission.
- Click 'Initiate Rebuttal' in the Action list.
- Click 'Send Letter'.
- The status changes to Revise, with the standard due date for this article type dated from the date of rebuttal.
The author will be able to submit a revision.
Final Disposition Term Transferred
If the submission has been fully transferred to another journal via Automated Transfer service, it is not possible to undo or cancel the transfer.
As a workaround, it may be possible for the receiving journal to reject the submission and offer transfer back to the original journal. Contact your Journal Manager.
Final Disposition Term Withdrawn
Withdrawn submissions have no decision to be rescinded, but can be reopened for Revision by an Editor with appropriate permissions using the Initiate Rebuttal action.
- Go to 'Search Submission' and locate the submission.
- Click 'Initiate Rebuttal' in the Action list. If this does not appear for a Withdrawn submission, then most likely you do not have the permission for Initiate Rebuttal. Contact your Journal Manager or Editorial Office.
- Select a Revise letter.
- Click 'Send Letter'.
- The status changes to Revise, with the standard due date for this article type dated from the date of rebuttal.
- The author will be able to submit a revision.
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