How to Add Comments in Adobe Acrobat

The complete guide to reviewing PDF book proofs. Learn every commenting tool in under 10 minutes.

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Before You Start

Click the PDF link we've sent you. That's it. No Adobe account needed. Simply select "Continue as Guest" and you're ready to review your formatted book.

Don't worry about saving. All comments sync automatically as you work.

Your Comment Toolkit

Master these 8 tools and you'll be able to give clear, actionable feedback on any PDF.

1

Add a General Comment

Adobe Acrobat interface showing the Add Comment button in the left toolbar and a comment box placed on a PDF page

Got feedback about the overall layout, title page design, or something that isn't tied to specific text? This is your go-to tool.

Click "Add a comment" in the left toolbar, then click anywhere on the page to drop your note.

Example comments:

  • "Can we try a different chapter heading style?"
  • "I'd like more white space on this page"
  • "The margins feel too narrow here"
💡 Best for:Layout feedbackDesign suggestionsGeneral observations
2

Highlight Text (Your Most Important Tool)

Selecting and highlighting text in Adobe Acrobat with the highlight tool and comment popup

Use this for almost everything. When you're pointing out a typo, suggesting a word change, or flagging a sentence that needs attention, highlight it first. This tells us exactly what you're referring to, so there's no confusion.

How to do it:

  1. Click and drag over the text you want to highlight
  2. Select "Highlight" from the popup menu
  3. Add your comment explaining the issue

Clear, precise, and saves everyone time.

💡 Best for:TyposWord changesSentence-level feedback
3

Change Highlight Colour

Colour palette selector in Adobe Acrobat showing highlight colour options

Want to colour-code your feedback? Click the colour circle in the left toolbar to open the palette.

Popular colour systems:

  • Yellow: Typos and errors
  • Blue: Questions
  • Green: Approved or "love this!"
  • Red: Must change

We'll address every comment regardless of colour, so use whatever system works for you. Or skip colour-coding entirely.

💡 Best for:Organising large amounts of feedbackVisual thinkers
4

Strikethrough Text

Text with strikethrough markup applied in Adobe Acrobat to indicate deletion

When something needs to go, strike it out. Select the text you want deleted, then choose "Strikethrough" from the toolbar.

The line through the text makes your intention unmistakable. It's far clearer than writing "please delete this paragraph." We'll see exactly which words should be removed.

💡 Best for:Removing wordsSentencesParagraphs
5

Replace Text

Replace text feature in Adobe Acrobat showing crossed out original and replacement text in comment

The fastest way to request a text swap.

How to do it:

  1. Highlight the text you want changed
  2. Click "Replace selected text"
  3. Type your replacement in the comment box

The original text appears crossed out while your new version sits right beside it. We see both instantly.

💡 Best for:Fixing namesUpdating datesCorrecting spellings
6

Mark Up Illustrations or Visual Elements

Drawing and markup tools in Adobe Acrobat being used to annotate visual elements

Sometimes words aren't enough. Use the drawing tool to circle problem areas, indicate where you'd like an image placed, or draw attention to alignment issues.

You can sketch directly on the page. Arrows, circles, freehand marks. Whatever helps us understand your vision.

The comment panel will show "Added a drawing" so we know to look closely at your markup.

💡 Best for:Image placementAlignment issuesVisual feedback
7

Edit or Delete Your Comments

Three-dot menu on a comment showing edit, delete, and copy options

Changed your mind? Click the three dots (...) on any comment you've made.

Your options:

  • Edit your text
  • Delete the comment entirely
  • Copy the content
  • Grab a direct link to share

You can only modify your own comments. Other reviewers' notes will stay locked.

💡 Best for:Fixing mistakesRemoving duplicate commentsRefining feedback
8

Resolve a Comment

Comment with resolve checkbox ticked showing the comment as completed

Once feedback has been actioned and you're happy with the change, tick the checkbox to mark it as resolved.

This keeps your review organised. You'll always know what's been addressed and what's still pending. Resolved comments remain visible for reference, just neatly tucked away.

💡 Best for:Tracking progressStaying organised across multiple revision rounds

Quick Tips for Faster Revisions

Highlight first, comment second. Always show exactly which text you mean.

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