# Should I edit a hint to a complete answer; if, the author does not complain?

In this post I edited @fouriertransform's HINT to a complete answer. Am I allowed to do this?

• No, you should not. The author wrote the post the way they did for a reason, and your edit radically changed the content. In this case, it is acceptable because the original poster accepted the edit, but usually it is bad practice. – user296602 Sep 9 '16 at 20:29
• Just write your own answer, referencing the other if you want. – quid Sep 9 '16 at 20:47
• @T.Bongers Oh, i did not think about that. Should i use >! to hide my answer. If the person wants to see the answer, he can hover over it. – A---B Sep 9 '16 at 21:02
• @A---B Again: no. – Did Sep 9 '16 at 21:12
• That is still a radical change. Don't do it. – user296602 Sep 9 '16 at 21:17
• Anyone can propose edits to (almost) anything, but it is uncollegial and disruptive to make changes that affect the meaning/intent of the original author. If your feeling is that a full answer is more appropriate than a hint (this can depend on the Question, of course), you are certainly welcome to give a full answer on your own account. Short of that I'd put the option of leaving a Comment for the author of the original answer, suggesting a specific clarification. – hardmath Sep 10 '16 at 1:42