Portable Document Format files or PDF files are a godsend in the world of document creation. They are portable and can save you a ton in terms of enabling the exchange of files with others and ensuring the information contained in a file is secure at all times.

Although PDF documents are shareable, only the author can make changes to the data in the file and allow the audience to share their thoughts and ideas by adding comments on the file for the author’s review. 

In this article, we seek to answer your queries and discuss the following ways you can add comments on your PDF file:

  • What are the different ways of adding a text comment on PDF?
  • Can I add an audio comment on PDF?
  • How can I add a file attachment comment on PDF?
  • How can I add a stamp comment on PDF?
  • How to add an image attachment on PDF.

What are the different ways of adding a text comment on PDF?

There are several ways you can add a comment on PDF using a PDF editor like Adobe Acrobat. You can choose to comment using:

  • Sticky Note
  • Text Selection
  • Text Tool
  • Drawing & Markup Tools

How To Add A Comment on PDF Using a Sticky Note

The sticky note is a preferred option for many Adobe users when adding a comment on PDF. It is easy to locate as it appears as a speech balloon even when closed on the exact position you’ve placed your comment on the document. 

When you click on the sticky note icon the first time, it brings you a text box where you can input your desired comment. If you wish to edit your comment later, you can double click on the sticky note to bring up the text box again, then edit your comment.

You can see the comment you add on a sticky note by hovering your mouse pointer on the icon. A sticky note also allows you to change its position on the document by clking and dragging it to your desired position. You can also adjust the properties of your sticky note to make it more visible if you so wish.

You can add a sticky note comment on pdf by:

  • Open your PDF file. The comment toolbar should appear automatically at the top of your screen.
sticky note
Figure 1: Comment Toolbar


If not;

  • Go to the View menu on your screen, select Tools > Comment > Open
  • Once the Comment bar is open, select the Sticky Note icon

  • that appears first on the list of options.
  • Click and drag the sticky note icon to the place on the document where you want to add a comment.
  •  Please type your comment and post it in the box that appears.

How To Add A Comment on PDF using Text Selection Tools.

Adobe offers you many tools you can use to select the section or text in your document you wish to comment on. Text selection allows the specific section in the document to pop out for the reader to notice quickly. The available options for text selection include:

Highlight Tool

The highlight tool makes your select text stand out by coloring the background of the text yellow as a highlighter pen does.

  • On the Comment Bar, select Highlight Tool.
  • Click on and drag the Highlight tool on the specific text you wish to comment on.
  • Type your comment on the pop-up window that appears on the right side of your screen.

Strikethrough Tool

This tool places a horizontal line through the center of your selected text to make it stand out.

  • On the Comment Bar, select the Strikethrough Tool
  • Click on and drag the Strikethrough Tool on the text you wish to comment on.
  • Type your comment on the pop-up window on the right side of your screen.

Underline Tool

This text selection tool draws a zigzag line under the text you wish to comment on.

  • Select Underline Tool on the comment Bar.
  • Click on the Underline Tool and drag it over the text or section you wish to comment on.
  • Type your comment on the pop-up window that appears on the right side of your screen. 

Replace Text Tool

This tool allows you to select the specific text or section you would like to replace on the PDF file.

  • Select the Replace Text Tool on the Comment Bar.
  • Click on and drag the tool on the select text you would like to replace.
  • Type the comment or text you would like to replace the original with on the pop-up window that appears.

Add-In Text Tool

This tool allows you to suggest additional text on a particular section of the PDF file.

  • Select the Add-In Text tool.
  • Click on the specific section where you would like to add in text.
  • Type your comment or text suggestion on the pop-up window that appears on the right side of the screen.
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How To Add A Comment on PDF Using Text Box and Drawing Tools.

You can choose to add a text comment on PDF by either selecting the Text Box option or by adding a line or shape using Drawing tools.

The Drawing Tools option allows you to type in your comment using simple shapes, segmented shapes, or to create free-form shapes using the Pencil and Eraser tools.

To Add a comment using the Text Box option:

  • Select the Text
text box
  •  icon on the Comment Bar
  • Drag your mouse to the exact location you want to place the text box.
  • Type in your comment or text on the text box that appears.

To Add a Comment Using Drawing Tools:

  • Click on Tools, select Comment Toolbar.
  • Select the Drawing Tools icon  
Comment toolbar
  • on the Comment Toolbar.
  • Click on Expand Drawing Tools To choose a shape of your choice.
Text box option



  • Click on your desired shape to type in your comment.


Can I add an audio comment on PDF?

Yes, you can add an audio comment on PDF. Adobe allows you to record an audio comment or add a pre-recorded audio as a comment on a PDF file.

To record an audio comment on PDF:

  • On the Comment Toolbar, select the Record Audio
audio
  • icon.
  • On your PDF file, select where you would like your audio comment to appear.
  • Click the Record button on the dialogue box that appears on your document.


speak recorder


  • Speak to the microphone to record your comment.
  • Once you finish recording your comment, press the Stop button, then press OK.
  • To fine-tune your audio comment, click on the Sound Attachment Property dialog box and select your desired options.
  • Click OK to post the audio comment.

To add a pre-recorded audio comment:

  • Choose the Record Audio Comment icon on the Comment Toolbar.
  • Select a location for your audio comment on the PDF file.
  • On the dialogue box, click on the Browse button to select the video you wish to add.
  • You can listen to the video by pressing the Play button, then click Stop when you finish.
  • Press OK to post the pre-recorded audio comment.
  • You can choose to adjust the sound of your pre-recorded audio comment by clicking on Specify Attachment Properties option.
  • Click OK.

How can I add a file attachment comment on PDF?

If you want to add long comments with extensive references that can’t fit on a text box or pop-up note, you can opt to add a file attachment comment on your PDF file.

  • On the Comment toolbar, select the Attach File icon
comment section
  • On your PDF file, select where you’d like to place your file attachment.
  • Select the file you wish to attach as a comment and click Open.
  • Fine-tune the properties of your file attachment comment by clicking on File Attachment Properties.
  • Click OK to post your file attachment comment on PDF.


How can I add a stamp comment on PDF?

A stamp comment is one of the most critical features on an official PDF document as it guides to the exact position you want them to sign or place a stamp.

To add a stamp comment on PDF:

  • On the Comment toolbar, Select the Stamp icon.
  • On the drop-down menu provided, choose the stamp you wish to use on your document.
  • Select where you want your stamp comment on your PDF document and Click for the stamp to appear.
  • You can opt to create your stamp by selecting the Custom Stamps option, then Create.

How to add an image comment on PDF file

If you wish to add an image as a comment on a pdf file, you must copy the image from your PDF editor or other available image-editing applications on your computer.

To copy your comment image from PDF editor, click on Edit > Take a Snapshot

copy image

> Copy the image from PDF.

To copy an image from other applications, Click on Edit, then Copy.

Once you finish copying your desired image:

  • Open the PDF document you wish to attach your comment -image on.
  • Click on Stamp Tool on the Comment toolbar, then select the Paste Clipboard Image As Stamp Tool option.
  • Go to your PDF document and select a location for your image comment.
  • The image comment will automatically appear.

Adding a comment on PDF is a sure and fun way of sharing your views and contribution to the information contained in the document. You can customize the way your texts and attachments appear on your PDF file at any time by double-clicking on the comment and editing as you desire.

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