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

Change appearance or properties of comments

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

AI prompts

3 ways to ask · copy any one

AExecute — “help me do it”Show me how to change the color or style of...…+

Show me how to change the color or style of a comment in [my PDF document].

when the reply comes backWant to learn how to delete or move comments next?

BImprove — “do it better”Suggest ways to make my comments easier to see or...…+

Suggest ways to make my comments easier to see or read in [this PDF].

when the reply comes backNeed tips on organizing lots of comments?

CDecide — “help me choose”Help me choose the best color or font for...…+

Help me choose the best color or font for my comments in [this situation].

when the reply comes backCurious how to reply to someone else's comment?

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

CommentA note or message added to a file to give feedback or ask questions.ExampleYou add a note to a report asking the author to clarify a specific paragraph.

AppearanceHow something looks, like its color, size, or style.ExampleYou can change the text's appearance by making it bold, larger, or a different color.

PropertyA setting or detail about something, such as its color or font.ExampleChanging the font property of text from Arial to Times New Roman alters its appearance.

The real tasks

the one, listed here

Add a quick note on a file to explain a nonstandard income source so teammates understand my assessment.

FAQ

about this task

To change a comment's color, select the comment, then look for the color option in the properties toolbar. You can pick any color you like to make your comment more noticeable.

Changing the properties of a comment means adjusting things like its color, font, or size so it looks the way you want or is easier to read.

Changing how your comments look can help them stand out, make them easier to read, or organize feedback by using different colors for different topics.

Yes, you can set a default style for your comments so that new comments automatically use the same color, font, or size, which helps keep your feedback consistent.

Yes, changing a comment's appearance means changing how it looks, like color or size, while editing its text means changing the actual words or message inside the comment.

Change appearance or properties of comments

When to use it

AI prompts

How to do it

Glossary

The real tasks

Who does this

FAQ

Sources

Adobe help