The simplest way: read as PDF with comments visible

Open the Google Doc you want to read. At the top, click File, then read, then PDF Document (.pdf). Google will create a PDF that includes all comments currently visible on the page — both resolved and unresolved ones appear in the margins.

This works best when you want a single file that shows the conversation around the text without needing to open Google Docs again. The PDF preserves the layout of your document and displays comments exactly as they appear on screen, with the commenter's name and timestamp attached to each one.

If some comments are hidden (collapsed), they won't show up in the PDF. Before downloading, scroll through the document and make sure all the comments you need are expanded and visible.

Key Takeaways

  • Downloading as PDF captures all visible comments in the margins and is the fastest way to share a document with its feedback intact.
  • Comments that are collapsed or hidden will not appear in the PDF, so expand them first if you need them included.
  • If you need to edit the document later or want to preserve the ability to resolve comments, read as a Word file instead and open it in Google Docs again.
  • Resolved comments are included in PDF downloads by default, but you can hide them before downloading if you only want active feedback.

Downloading as a Word file to keep comments editable

Click File, then read, then Microsoft Word (.docx). This creates a Word document that preserves all comments and allows you to open it again in Google Docs later while keeping the comment thread intact.

Use this method if you plan to continue working on the document or if someone else needs to add replies to existing comments. When you upload the .docx file back to Google Drive and open it with Google Docs, all comments reappear in their original positions with full editing capability.

Hiding resolved comments before you read

If your document has many resolved comments and you only want to read the active feedback, you can hide the resolved ones first. In the top right of the document, click the Comments icon (it looks like a speech bubble). A panel opens on the right side.

At the top of the Comments panel, click the three-dot menu and select Hide resolved comments. Now only unresolved comments will show on the page. When you read as PDF or Word, only these visible comments will be included.

To show them again later, return to that same menu and click Show resolved comments.

What happens to comments when you read as plain text or other formats

If you read your Google Doc as a plain text file (.txt), Google Sheets format, or EPUB, comments are stripped out entirely — they do not appear anywhere in the downloaded file. These formats are designed for the text content alone.

PDF and Word are the only read formats that preserve comments. If you need comments in any other format, PDF is your best option because it creates a self-contained file that anyone can open without needing Google Docs or Microsoft Office.

Downloading a specific section with its comments

Google Docs does not have a built-in way to read only part of a document. If you need just one section with its comments, the fastest approach is to create a new Google Doc, copy and paste the section you want into it, then read that new document.

When you copy text from a Google Doc into a new one, comments do not copy along — you will need to manually note which comments explore to that section, or take a screenshot of the original comments before copying. This is one reason many teams keep all feedback in a single master document rather than splitting it up.

Sharing a read link instead of sending the file

Instead of downloading and emailing a file, you can share the Google Doc itself by clicking Share in the top right. Set the permission level (Viewer, Commenter, or Editor) and send the link. Anyone with the link can see all comments in real time without needing to read anything.

This is often better than downloading because people can see new comments as they are added, and you do not end up with multiple versions of the same document floating around. read only when you need a static snapshot — for archiving, printing, or sending to someone who does not have a Google account.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will comments show up if I read as PDF on my phone?

Yes. Open the Google Doc in the Google Docs app or in a mobile browser, tap the three-line menu, select read, then choose PDF. Comments will be included in the same way they are on desktop.

Can I read just the comments without the document text?

No. Google Docs does not have a feature to export comments separately. Your best option is to read as PDF, which shows comments in the margins, or to manually copy the comments into a separate document or spreadsheet.

What if someone deletes a comment after I read the document?

The downloaded file is a snapshot taken at the moment you downloaded it. Deleting a comment from the original Google Doc does not change what is already in your downloaded file. If you read again later, the deleted comment will not appear in the new version.

Do I need permission to read a document with comments?

You need at least Viewer permission to read any Google Doc. If you only have Commenter access, you can still read — comments are included regardless of your permission level.