Editing Robert's Rules of Order (section)

=== Changes between editions ===
The following table lists some of the changes that were made between the editions of Robert's Rules of Order. The numbered pages may not correspond to the total number of pages in the edition due to additional material in the [[preface]], introduction, and other miscellaneous pages that were not included in the numbering system.
{| class="wikitable"
!Edition (year)
!Numbered pages
!Partial list of changes from previous edition
|-
|1st (1876)
|176
|Original edition
|-
|2nd (1876)
|192
|
* Added "Part III: Miscellaneous" (the 1st Edition only had Parts I and II)
* Revised Table of Rules and moved it from back of book to front of book
|-
|3rd (1893)
|218
|
* Motion to lie on the table was changed to "lay on the table"
* [[Amend (motion)#Filling blanks|Filling blanks]] was moved from "Miscellaneous motions" to under "Motion to Amend"
* Added motion to rescind
|-
|'''4th (1915)'''
|'''323'''
|"Completely reworked and 75 percent enlarged by original author"<ref name=":2" />
* Significant reorganization of the book (Part III combined into Part II and portions of Part II combined into Part I)
* Added motion to recess
* Added many of the incidental motions
|-
|5th (1943)
|326
|
* Incorporated only in-page changes planned by General Robert before his death
* Expanded index
|-
|6th (1951)
|326
|
* Added "Principles Underlying Parliamentary Law"
* Added "The Parliamentarian"
* Added that notice for a special meeting should state its purpose
* Added suggested wording for bylaws with regard to the annual meeting, officer terms, and [[nominating committee]]
|-
|'''7th (1970)'''
|'''594'''
|"Enlarged more than twofold and totally recast to be made self-explanatory"<ref name=":2" />
* Complete reworking of the book in order to maintain copyright<ref>{{cite news|url = https://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/20/books/review/Donadio-t.html?ref=books|work = The New York Times|first = Rachel|last = Donadio|title = Point of Order|date = May 20, 2007|access-date = 2018-05-03}}</ref>
* Main divisions of the book changed from "Articles" to "Chapters"
* Presented natural order of motions (from lowest to highest rank)
* Significant expansion of explanation of motions with examples
* Added topics including "agenda" and "executive session"
* Added tinted pages of charts and tables
* Omitted most references to Congress
|-
|8th (1981)
|594
|
* Recognized that a board is a form of deliberative assembly (unlike a committee)
* Clarified rule prohibiting interruption of voting
* Clarified motions of previous question and lay on the table
|-
|9th (1990)
|706
|
* Reinserted hints to inexperienced presiding officers (this section was removed from the 7th Edition)
* Added some principles of interpretation of bylaws and other documents
* Recognized that copies of minutes and agenda may be submitted in advance
|-
|10th (2000)
|704
|
* Re-formatted book, added line numbers, and moved tinted pages from middle of book to end of book (and changed the tint from the color of the entire page to a gray band along the outer edge of the page)
* Removed some references to being "legal" (parliamentary law is not a court of law)
* Recognized alternative forms of "chairman" ("chair" or "chairperson")
* Recognized customs
* Expanded explanation of the point of order and its timeliness including when there is a breach of a continuing nature
* Recognized existence of the internet and possible electronic meetings
|-
|11th (2011)
|716
|"Significantly re-edited with expanded and updated treatment of many topics"<ref name=":2" />
* A new subsection on electronic meetings
* Recognized that notice may be sent by electronic communication such as e-mail
* More fully explained rules for counting ballots and resolving election disputes
* Added definition for a member "in [[good standing]]"
* A thorough revision of the chapter on disciplinary procedures
* Removed more references to being "legal" (parliamentary law is not a court of law)
* Re-formatted index (which became more compact)
|-
|'''12th (2020)'''
|'''714'''
|
* Margins changed to section and paragraph numbers instead of line numbers
* Clarifications on motions
* Clarification on procedures for approval of minutes
* New provisions regarding debate on nominations
* Addition of "Sample Rules for Electronic Meetings"
* Expanded appendix of charts, tables and lists
|}

Generally, a fuller list and more details of the changes are found in the preface of each edition. A detailed list of changes for the current (12th) edition is provided on the website maintained by the Robert's Rules Association.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Newly Revised 12th Edition; 'View Key Section Changes'|url=https://robertsrules.com/books/newly-revised-12th-edition/|access-date=2020-09-07|publisher=The Robert's Rules Association}}</ref> All the changes were a result of questions and comments received from users.