The two ways to add a comment in Word

You can add a comment to a Word document in two ways: by selecting text and using the Review tab, or by clicking in the margin where you want the comment to appear. The first method ties the comment to specific words; the second method anchors it to a location on the page. Most people use the first method because it keeps the comment connected to the exact phrase that needs feedback.

Comments appear in a sidebar on the right side of your document (on Windows) or in a panel below the text (on Mac). The person who wrote the document can see all comments at once, and anyone with access to the file can add their own. This makes comments useful for collaborative editing — multiple people can leave feedback without changing the actual text.

Key Takeaways

  • Select the text you want to comment on, then click the New Comment button in the Review tab to attach a comment to those specific words.
  • Type your comment in the sidebar or panel that appears, then click outside the comment box or press Escape to finish.
  • Comments stay visible in the margin by default, but you can hide them by clicking the Show Comments button in the Review tab to toggle them off.
  • You can reply to someone else's comment by clicking inside their comment box and typing a response, which threads the conversation in one place.
  • Deleting a comment requires right-clicking it and selecting Delete, or selecting the comment and pressing Delete on your keyboard.

Selecting text and adding a comment on Windows

Open your Word document and find the text you want to comment on. Click at the beginning of the word or phrase, then drag to the end to highlight it. The text will turn blue when selected. If you want to comment on a single word, double-click it to select just that word.

Once the text is selected, click the Review tab at the top of the window. In the Comments section (usually near the left side of the ribbon), click the New Comment button. A comment box will appear in the sidebar on the right, with your name and the current date already filled in. Type your feedback or question in the box, then click outside it or press Escape. The comment is now attached to that text.

Adding a comment on Mac

On a Mac, select the text the same way: click and drag to highlight, or double-click a single word. Then click the Review tab in the ribbon at the top. Look for the New Comment button and click it. A comment panel will open below your document (not in a sidebar like Windows). Type your comment and press Escape or click outside the box when you are done.

The main difference on Mac is the layout — comments appear in a panel below the text rather than in a right-side margin. The process of adding, replying to, and deleting comments works the same way on both systems.

Replying to a comment someone else left

When someone adds a comment to your document, you will see their name and comment in the sidebar or panel. To reply, click inside their comment box (you will see a cursor appear) and type your response. Press Escape when you are finished. Your reply will appear directly below their comment, creating a threaded conversation in one place.

This threading keeps related feedback together, which is especially useful when multiple people are reviewing the same document. You can reply to a reply, and the conversation will continue to nest under the original comment.

Hiding comments so you can focus on the text

If the sidebar or comment panel is distracting while you work, you can hide the comments without deleting them. Click the Review tab, then click the Show Comments button (it may also be labeled Show Markup depending on your Word version). The comments will disappear from view, but they are still in the document — clicking Show Comments again will bring them back.

You can also click the small arrow next to Show Comments to see options for hiding only certain types of markup, such as comments from one specific person or insertions and deletions only. This is useful when you want to focus on one type of feedback at a time.

Deleting a comment you no longer need

To delete a comment, right-click on it in the sidebar or panel. A small menu will appear with a Delete option. Click Delete and the comment is removed. Alternatively, click once on the comment to select it, then press the Delete key on your keyboard.

Deleting a comment removes it permanently from the document. If you delete a comment by mistake, you can undo it when ready by pressing Ctrl+Z (Windows) or Command+Z (Mac). Once you save and close the document, the undo option is no longer available.

What happens to comments when you save and share

Comments are saved as part of the Word document file. When you save the document, all comments are saved with it. If you email the document or upload it to OneDrive or SharePoint, the comments travel with the file. Anyone who opens the document will see all the comments that have been added.

If you want to remove all comments before sharing, click the Review tab and look for a button labeled Delete or Delete All Comments (the exact label varies by Word version). This will remove every comment in the document at once. You can also delete comments one at a time using the method described above.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I comment on a Word document if I do not have edit permission?

No. If the document is set to read-only or view-only, you cannot add comments. The person who shared the document must change the permission level to allow comments or edits. Ask them to open the sharing settings and change your access level.

What if I want to comment on a specific location but not on any particular text?

Click in the margin area next to the line where you want the comment to appear, then click New Comment in the Review tab. The comment will anchor to that location on the page rather than to specific words. This is useful for general feedback about a section or paragraph.

Do comments show up the same way in PDF or Google Docs?

No. Word comments only work in Word documents. If you convert a Word file to PDF, the comments do not transfer. If you open a Word document in Google Docs, the comments may not display correctly. To preserve comments, keep the file in Word format.

Can I see who wrote each comment?

Yes. Each comment shows the name of the person who wrote it and the date it was added. If someone is signed into Word with their Microsoft account, their name appears automatically. If they are not signed in, the comment may show a generic name like "Author".

What if multiple people are editing the same document at the same time?

If you are using Word online or a file stored on OneDrive or SharePoint, multiple people can edit and comment simultaneously. Comments from all users will appear in real time. If you are using a local file, only one person can have it open at a time, so comments are not live — you will see them only after the other person saves and you reopen the file.