How do I add a sticky note to a PDF document?

Open your PDF in Acrobat. Go to the 'Comment' tools. Select the 'sticky note' icon. Click on the page where you want the note. Type your message and close the note box.

What is the difference between a sticky note and a text box for comments?

A sticky note is a small icon that opens a pop-up window for your text, good for short reminders. A text box lets you type text directly onto the page, making it visible all the time. Both are useful for adding comments, but the text box is better for longer, always-visible notes.

Why do comments and annotations remain recoverable data in a PDF?

Comments and annotations are designed to be a separate layer on top of the original document. This allows reviewers to add feedback without changing the main content. This design means they are recoverable data, which is useful during review. However, it also means you must actively remove them if you want a truly 'final' file, to prevent information from leaking.

If I share a PDF with comments, will the recipient see my sticky notes?

Yes, if you share a PDF that has sticky notes and other comments, the recipient will see them. These comments are part of the file's data. If you do not want them to see your notes, you must use the 'Protect > Sanitize' feature before sharing. This action removes all comments and markups permanently.

What does 'flattening' comments mean in Adobe Acrobat?

Flattening comments means making them a permanent part of the document's content, no longer a separate, editable layer. This makes the comments look like regular text or images on the page. Once flattened, comments cannot be easily removed or changed as individual notes. It's a way to make sure notes are visible but not interactive, and it can prevent accidental changes or removal by others.

◆ Acrobat · edit

Audit or report on comments and annotation activity

Add a short note to the Ramirez file explaining the nonstandard rental income from an Airbnb property so teammates und…

3ready prompts

1real task

3roles

See the prompt↓More edit workflows

When to use it

real situations

A manager wants to see who made comments on a PDF.
A teacher needs to check if students added notes to an assignment.
A team leader reviews feedback activity before a project meeting.

AI prompts

3 ways to ask · copy any one

AExecute — “help me do it”Make a report showing all comments and notes in [PDF name]...…+

Make a report showing all comments and notes in [PDF name] with details like who made them and when.

when the reply comes backWould you like to filter the report by date or user?

BImprove — “do it better”Summarize the main feedback points and trends from comments in [PDF name]...…+

Summarize the main feedback points and trends from comments in [PDF name], highlighting repeated topics or concerns.

when the reply comes backDo you want a visual summary, like charts or graphs?

CDecide — “help me choose”Suggest the best way to review comment and annotation activity for [purpose]...…+

Suggest the best way to review comment and annotation activity for [purpose], like tracking teamwork or grading.

when the reply comes backNeed help exporting the report to another format?

How to do it

the tool · the steps · what to avoid

1
Open your PDF file in Adobe Acrobat.
2
Select the Comment tool from the right pane or toolbar.
3
Choose a comment tool, such as Sticky Note, Highlight, Underline, or Strikethrough.
4
Click or drag on the PDF where you want to add your annotation.
5
Type your comment or adjust the markup as needed.
6
To edit or delete a comment, select it in the right sidebar and use the available options.
Best practiceYou can quickly access all your comments in the right sidebar to review or modify them.

In the appWith the API

You can use keyboard shortcuts to speed up adding highlights or sticky notes while reviewing a PDF.

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

Glossary

words on this page

AuditA careful check to make sure rules are being followed.ExampleThe company conducted an audit to ensure all financial transactions followed regulations.

AnnotationAn annotation is a note or mark added to a document, like a highlight or a stamp, without changing the original text.ExampleHe added an annotation to the PDF, circling a key sentence and adding a question mark.

ReportA summary or list showing important information about an activity.ExampleThe monthly sales report showed a significant increase in revenue for the last quarter.

Who does this

3 roles

EditorProject ManagerLegal Reviewer

FAQ

about this task

To audit comments and annotation activity in Adobe Acrobat, you can open the comment panel to see all notes, highlights, and feedback added to the PDF. You can also use the sorting and filtering tools to organize them by author, date, or type. This helps you quickly review who participated and what was discussed.

In Adobe Acrobat, a comment is usually a written note or reply, while an annotation can be any mark added to the document, such as highlights, shapes, or sticky notes. Both help users give feedback or draw attention to parts of the PDF.

Reporting on annotation activity helps track who gave feedback, what changes were suggested, and how many people have reviewed the document. This is useful for teamwork, grading, or making sure everyone’s ideas are considered.

Yes, you can export a summary of all comments and annotations from Adobe Acrobat. There are options to save the list as a separate file, like a PDF or Word document, so you can share or review it easily.

Comment reports are helpful in team projects because they show who added feedback, what was said, and when. This makes it easier to follow up on suggestions, check if everyone has participated, and keep track of progress.