How do I highlight open exceptions in a PDF using Comments & Annotations?

Open the PDF in Acrobat. Go to Comment tools. Pick the highlight tool. Select the open exception text. Save your changes.

If my scan is blurry, can I still highlight open exceptions with the highlight tool?

You can only highlight real text, not images. If your scan is an image, the highlight tool will not work. Try using OCR (text recognition) first, then highlight.

How are highlights different from sticky notes in Comments & Annotations?

Feature Highlight Sticky Note. What it does Marks text with color Adds a pop-up note Visibility Shows on the text Shows as an icon Use Draws attention to text Gives extra explanation

◆ Acrobat · combine

Highlight Open Exceptions

Combine the quarterly monitoring test result PDFs into one executive report PDF, add comments highlighting open except…

2ready prompts

1real task

3roles

See the prompt↓More combine workflows

When to use it

real situations

A manager wants to point out open exceptions in an audit report.
A student highlights unanswered questions in a homework PDF.
A team member marks issues to discuss in a project document.

AI prompts

2 ways to ask · copy any one

AExecute — “help me do it”Combine the quarterly monitoring test result PDFs into one executive report PDF, add comments…+

Combine the quarterly monitoring test result PDFs into one executive report PDF, add comments highlighting open exceptions, and deliver the package to the Chief Compliance Officer and [audit committee] before the review meeting.

when the reply comes backPush once: ask it to sharpen the weakest part, and to say what it assumed.

BImprove — “do it better”Before I hand the executive monitoring report to the Chief Compliance Officer and [audit…+

Before I hand the executive monitoring report to the Chief Compliance Officer and [audit committee], add an executive summary with total open exceptions and risk ratings, link each highlighted exception to its supporting evidence page, ensure comments call out recommended [owners] and timelines, and include a one-page [dashboard] for quick decision-making.

when the reply comes backPush once: ask it to sharpen the weakest part, and to say what it assumed.

How to do it

the tool · the steps · what to avoid

1
Open your PDF file in Adobe Acrobat.
2
Click the Comment button in the toolbar to display the commenting tools.
3
Select the annotation tool you want to use, such as Note, Highlight, Text Box, or Draw.
4
Click on the PDF page where you want to add your comment or annotation.
5
Type your comment or draw your annotation as needed.
6
Click away from the annotation or press Escape to save your comment or annotation.

In the appWith the API

You can use multiple annotation types in one session, such as highlighting text and adding sticky notes for detailed feedback.

This runs in the Acrobat app - there is no separate API for this task.

Glossary

words on this page

HighlightTo mark text with color to make it stand out.ExampleYou can highlight important sentences in a PDF to review them later.

Comment toolsComment tools let you add notes, highlights, and marks on a PDF.ExampleYou use the comment tools to highlight important sections and add sticky notes to a PDF.

SanitizeTo remove sensitive or private information from a document before sharing it.ExampleRemember to sanitize the document by redacting personal details before sharing it publicly.

Who does this

3 roles

EditorTeacherProject Manager

FAQ

about this task

Open the PDF in Acrobat.
Go to Comment tools.
Pick the highlight tool.
Select the open exception text.
Save your changes.

Comments & Annotations in Adobe Acrobat are tools that let you add notes, highlights, or marks to a PDF. You should use them to point out important parts, ask questions, or give feedback without changing the original document. This makes it easier for others to see what needs attention or review.

You can only highlight real text, not images.
If your scan is an image, the highlight tool will not work.
Try using OCR (text recognition) first, then highlight.

Sanitizing a PDF is important because comments and highlights are saved as a separate layer in the file. If you share the PDF without sanitizing, anyone can see your notes, questions, or marks, even if you think you removed them. This could share private or unfinished feedback by mistake. Sanitizing removes all these extra layers, so only the clean, final document is shared.

Feature	Highlight	Sticky Note
What it does	Marks text with color	Adds a pop-up note
Visibility	Shows on the text	Shows as an icon
Use	Draws attention to text	Gives extra explanation