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

Export or import comments between PDFs

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 export or import comments between two PDFs...…+

Show me how to export or import comments between two PDFs in Adobe Acrobat. My files are [file 1] and [file 2].

when the reply comes backWant to learn how to sort or filter comments too?

BImprove — “do it better”Suggest ways to make moving comments between PDFs quicker or...…+

Suggest ways to make moving comments between PDFs quicker or more organized for [my project/class/meeting].

when the reply comes backNeed help with exporting comments to Word or Excel?

CDecide — “help me choose”Should I export/import comments or use another method to share...…+

Should I export/import comments or use another method to share feedback on my PDF documents with [my team/students]?

when the reply comes backCurious about keeping comment authors visible after import?

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

PDFA common file type used to share documents that look the same everywhere.ExampleShe saved the brochure as a PDF so everyone would see the exact same layout and fonts.

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.

ExportTo change a file into a different type so you can use it elsewhere.ExampleYou can export the spreadsheet as a CSV file to open it in a different program.

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

In Adobe Acrobat, you can export comments by opening your PDF, going to the 'Comments' panel, and choosing the option to export comments (usually as a data file). This file can then be imported into another PDF.

When you import comments into another PDF, the notes and feedback appear in the new document, usually in the same places as the original, making it easy to continue working or reviewing.

Yes, you can filter or select specific comments before exporting, so you only share the feedback you want. This is useful if some notes are private or not needed in the other document.

Exporting and importing comments is faster and keeps all the details, like the author and time, while copying and pasting might lose some information or take more time.

A teacher might want to export or import comments to quickly give the same feedback to many students, or to collect all feedback in one place for review.

Export or import comments between PDFs

When to use it

AI prompts

How to do it

Glossary

The real tasks

Who does this

FAQ

Sources

Adobe help