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

Restrict or lock commenting and annotation features

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 stop people from commenting or annotating…+

Show me how to stop people from commenting or annotating on my PDF in Adobe Acrobat.

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

BImprove — “do it better”How can I make the comment lock even more secure…+

How can I make the comment and annotation lock even more secure in Adobe Acrobat?

when the reply comes backNeed help checking if the restrictions are working?

CDecide — “help me choose”Should I lock all editing or just comments…+

Should I lock all editing or just commenting and annotation for my PDF in Adobe Acrobat?

when the reply comes backWant to know how to unlock comments later if needed?

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

CommentingAdding notes, feedback, or questions to a document.ExampleYou are adding notes and questions directly onto the draft of a project proposal.

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.

RestrictTo limit or stop someone from doing something.ExampleThe company policy restricts employees from accessing certain websites during work hours.

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 set permissions to stop others from adding comments or annotations to your PDF. This is usually done by applying security settings or using a password to limit what others can do with your file.

Commenting means adding text notes, while annotation includes things like highlighting, drawing, or marking up the document. Both can be restricted to protect your PDF.

Locking these features helps keep the document unchanged and stops others from adding unwanted notes or marks, which is important for official or final versions.

Adobe Acrobat's standard settings apply to everyone who opens the file, so you can't pick certain people to comment unless you use advanced sharing tools or services.

Restricting comments only blocks notes and markups, but locking editing stops all changes, including text or image edits. You can choose which level of protection you need.

Restrict or lock commenting and annotation features

When to use it

AI prompts

How to do it

Glossary

The real tasks

Who does this

FAQ

Sources

Adobe help