How do I add comments to specific text in Adobe Acrobat?

Open your PDF in Acrobat. Select the text you want to comment on. Right-click the selected text and choose 'Add Note to Selected Text' or 'Highlight Text'. Type your comment in the pop-up box. This links your note directly to the text.

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

Feature Sticky Note Text Box. Appearance Small icon, opens a pop-up note when clicked. Visible text box directly on the page. Placement Can be placed anywhere, icon is small. Takes up space on the document page. Use Case Good for quick, hidden notes or detailed explanations. Good for visible comments, callouts, or adding extra content.

Preserve Edit Rationale in Adobe Acrobat — How-to & AI prompts

AI prompts

1 way to ask · copy any one

DBecome — “help me grow”Review how my inline comments have been handled in past plans and recommend a commenting style…+

Review how my inline comments have been handled in past plans and recommend a commenting style that increases acceptance — for example, evidence-first phrasing, impact note, then suggested text. Give me a three-part comment template to use going forward that helps colleagues adopt technical edits rather than push back.

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

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.

MarkupHighlighting, underlining, or drawing on a PDF to show what is important.ExampleYou use the markup tool to highlight key sentences in the report.

SanitizeTo remove sensitive or private information from a document before sharing it.ExampleRemember to sanitize the document by redacting personal details before sharing it publicly.

Who does this

3 roles

EditorTeacherProject Manager

FAQ

about this task

Open your PDF in Acrobat.
Select the text you want to comment on.
Right-click the selected text and choose 'Add Note to Selected Text' or 'Highlight Text'.
Type your comment in the pop-up box. This links your note directly to the text.

Comments and annotations help you communicate ideas, feedback, and rationales directly within a PDF document. They are useful for reviewing, collaborating, and explaining changes without altering the original text. This keeps a clear record of discussions and decisions, making it easier for everyone to understand the document's evolution and specific points of interest.

Yes, by default, comments and annotations are visible to anyone who opens the PDF. They are a separate layer of information. If you want to share a 'final' version without comments, you must 'flatten' or 'sanitize' the PDF first. This removes the comment layer, ensuring only the main content is seen.

Drawing markup tools, like circles or arrows, help you visually highlight specific areas or elements in a PDF that text comments might miss. They are very effective for pointing out layout issues, image problems, or complex diagrams where text alone isn't clear enough. Combining drawing markups with text comments gives a more complete and precise explanation of your feedback or rationale.

Feature	Sticky Note	Text Box
Appearance	Small icon, opens a pop-up note when clicked.	Visible text box directly on the page.
Placement	Can be placed anywhere, icon is small.	Takes up space on the document page.
Use Case	Good for quick, hidden notes or detailed explanations.	Good for visible comments, callouts, or adding extra content.

Preserve Edit Rationale

When to use it

AI prompts

How to do it

Glossary

The real tasks

Who does this

FAQ

Sources

Adobe help