How do I highlight a spelling error in a PDF using comments and annotations?

Open the PDF and select the highlight tool. Drag over the word with the spelling error. Add a sticky note or comment to explain the mistake.

What is the difference between a comment and a highlight in Adobe Acrobat?

Feature Comment Highlight. What it is A note or message you add to the PDF A colored mark over text Purpose Explain, ask, or give feedback Show important text or errors Visibility Shows as a pop-up or icon Shows as colored text background

What are some ways to show grammar or punctuation errors using annotation tools?

Highlight the wrong word or sentence. Use underline or strikethrough to show what is wrong. Add a sticky note or text box to explain the error. Draw arrows to connect your note to the mistake.

◆ Acrobat · convert

Annotate Common Errors

Assemble training examples for the new teller: collect PDFs of common teller errors with annotations, send the set to …

2ready prompts

1real task

3roles

See the prompt↓More convert workflows

When to use it

real situations

A teacher marks grammar mistakes in a student's essay PDF.
An editor highlights unclear sentences in a draft report.
A coworker leaves notes on a shared project plan to show missing steps.

AI prompts

2 ways to ask · copy any one

AExecute — “help me do it”Assemble training examples for the new teller: collect PDFs of common teller errors with…+

Assemble training examples for the new teller: collect PDFs of common teller errors with annotations, send the set to the new [hire] and the training [supervisor] for review, and request confirmation that they reviewed the examples.

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 deliver the training packet, make learning stick for the trainee: annotate each…+

Before I deliver the training packet, make learning stick for the trainee: annotate each example with what went wrong and the correct fix, add a short checklist the teller can use at the counter, group examples by error [type], and request the trainee complete a short [quiz] after review.

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

annotationA note, highlight, or other mark added to a PDF to give feedback or explain something.

flattenTo make comments and marks a permanent part of the PDF so they cannot be changed or removed.

sanitizeTo remove all comments, notes, or hidden data from a PDF before sharing it.

Who does this

3 roles

EditorTeacherProject Manager

FAQ

about this task

Open the PDF and select the highlight tool.
Drag over the word with the spelling error.
Add a sticky note or comment to explain the mistake.

Feature	Comment	Highlight
What it is	A note or message you add to the PDF	A colored mark over text
Purpose	Explain, ask, or give feedback	Show important text or errors
Visibility	Shows as a pop-up or icon	Shows as colored text background

Yes, you can still add comments, highlights, or shapes on a blurry scan in Acrobat. However, if the text is hard to read, you may not be able to mark specific words. In that case, use arrows or callouts to point to the general area and explain the problem.

Flattening or sanitizing your PDF is important before sharing the file as a finished document. Comments and annotations are stored in a separate layer from the main content and can be viewed or recovered by others. If you do not flatten or sanitize, private feedback or editing notes might be seen by people who should not have this information. This protects your privacy and ensures the document looks clean and final.

Highlight the wrong word or sentence.
Use underline or strikethrough to show what is wrong.
Add a sticky note or text box to explain the error.
Draw arrows to connect your note to the mistake.