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

Flatten comments and annotations to make them permanent

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”Help me flatten all comments and annotations in my PDF called…+

Help me flatten all comments and annotations in my PDF called [file name] so they cannot be edited anymore.

when the reply comes backWould you like tips for sharing your flattened PDF?

BImprove — “do it better”Can you flatten comments in my PDF and make sure all…+

Can you flatten comments in my PDF and make sure all annotations are clear and easy to read before saving?

when the reply comes backWant to learn how to check if comments are truly flattened?

CDecide — “help me choose”Should I flatten the comments in my PDF before sharing it…+

Should I flatten the comments in my PDF before sharing it with others, or is it better to leave them editable?

when the reply comes backNeed help undoing a flatten if you change your mind?

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

FlattenTo combine all comments and layers into the main document so they cannot be easily changed or removed.ExampleAfter review, you flatten the document to make all comments a permanent part of the text.

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.

Adobe AcrobatA program used to view and edit PDF files.ExampleYou use Adobe Acrobat to open and read the instruction manual.

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 flatten comments and annotations by printing the PDF to a new PDF file or using the 'Flatten' feature if available. This makes all notes and marks permanent, so they can't be moved or edited.

Flattening comments means turning all the notes, highlights, and drawings into part of the regular PDF page. They become unchangeable, like printed text or images.

You should flatten comments when you want to make sure no one can edit or remove your notes, such as before sharing a final version or archiving a document.

Once you flatten comments and save the PDF, you can't undo it. It's a good idea to keep a backup copy of the original file in case you need to make changes later.

Flattening keeps the comments visible but makes them permanent, while deleting removes them completely from the PDF. Flattening is useful if you want your notes to stay as part of the document.

Flatten comments and annotations to make them permanent

When to use it

AI prompts

How to do it

Glossary

The real tasks

Who does this

FAQ

Sources

Adobe help