When submitting a manuscript to a journal, can I modify the submitted file?

Modifications to submitted manuscript files are generally possible but strictly regulated by journal policies. Most journals permit minor corrections if promptly requested prior to peer review initiation. Key principles involve transparency and necessity. Authors must formally request changes via editorial office communication, detailing the precise alterations and justification; unsolicited file replacements are prohibited. Permissible changes typically only include rectifying critical factual errors, updating contact information, or adding missing non-interpretative elements like funding acknowledgements approved during submission. Major modifications altering data, interpretation, or authorship require explicit editorial approval and likely invalidate the original submission date. Crucially, authors must avoid exploiting this to circumvent page/word limits or introduce new findings post-submission. The application requires specific steps: immediately contact the handling editor via the journal's submission system upon identifying a need for change. Clearly state the file needing amendment (e.g., "Revised Manuscript File"), list each proposed edit point-by-point, and provide a compelling rationale. Typical justifiable scenarios encompass fixing accidental omissions in references, correcting critical typographical errors affecting data presentation, or updating institutional affiliations. Strict adherence prevents processing delays and maintains submission integrity while upholding the scholarly record's accuracy.