How do I use comments and annotations to mark discrepancies in a PDF?

Open your PDF in Acrobat. Choose the comment tools. Highlight, underline, or strike through the parts that are different. Add a sticky note or text box to explain the issue. Repeat for all discrepancies you find.

Why should I sanitize a PDF after using comments and annotations?

Sanitizing removes all comments and review notes from the PDF. It keeps private or draft information from being seen by others. It makes sure the final version looks clean and professional.

How are comments and annotations different from editing the actual PDF text?

Comments/Annotations Editing PDF Text. Adds notes or marks on a separate layer Changes the actual words or content in the PDF Easy to review and remove before finalizing Changes stay unless you undo them Used for feedback and review Used to correct or update the main document

◆ Acrobat · edit

Mark Discrepancies

Compare the submitted passport copy to the original ID photo for Applicant [applicant=Noor Rahman], annotate any discr…

2ready prompts

2real tasks

3roles

See the prompt↓More edit workflows

When to use it

real situations

Checking a contract for errors before sending to a client.
Reviewing a school assignment with a teacher's comments.
Comparing an old and new manual to find changes.

AI prompts

2 ways to ask · copy any one

AExecute — “help me do it”Compare the submitted passport copy to the original ID photo for Applicant [applicant=Noor…+

Compare the submitted passport copy to the original ID photo for Applicant [applicant=Noor Rahman], annotate any discrepancies on the PDF, and attach your verification note to the applicant file.

when the reply comes backPush once: ask it to sharpen the weakest part, and to say what it assumed.

BImprove — “do it better”When verifying [applicant=Noor Rahman]'s documents, compare the passport scan to the original…+

When verifying [applicant=Noor Rahman]'s documents, compare the passport scan to the original ID, flag date-of-birth or name mismatches, highlight areas of poor image quality, add an explanatory annotation for the file, and recommend whether the applicant must appear with the original.

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.

markupA way to show changes, corrections, or comments on a document.

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

The real tasks

all 2, listed here

Verify authenticity of submitted IDs and foreign papers by comparing originals to copies and marking discrepancies.

Review a contractor’s as-built drawings against the approved set and mark discrepancies that affect plant placement or drainage.

Who does this

3 roles

EditorTeacherProject Manager

FAQ

about this task

Open your PDF in Acrobat.
Choose the comment tools.
Highlight, underline, or strike through the parts that are different.
Add a sticky note or text box to explain the issue.
Repeat for all discrepancies you find.

Comments and annotations in Adobe Acrobat are tools that let you add notes, highlights, and marks to a PDF without changing the main text. They are important because they help people review, correct, or discuss documents clearly. These marks make it easy to see what needs fixing or changing before a document is finished.

Yes, you can still use the comment tools to mark areas or add notes, even if the scan is blurry. But it may be hard to see the exact details, so try to be as clear as possible in your comments.

Sanitizing removes all comments and review notes from the PDF.
It keeps private or draft information from being seen by others.
It makes sure the final version looks clean and professional.

Comments/Annotations	Editing PDF Text
Adds notes or marks on a separate layer	Changes the actual words or content in the PDF
Easy to review and remove before finalizing	Changes stay unless you undo them
Used for feedback and review	Used to correct or update the main document