Add Comments to a Document

You can add comments to documents. You can use a comment to explain a statement, add a note of clarification, or remind you to take an action.

Comments are available in your document in Print Layout view or Web Layout view. You can view comments in the Comment pane in Normal view or Outline view.

ADD A COMMENT

1. Click the Reading Layout icon (), the Web Layout icon (), or the Print Layout icon () to view your document.

2. Select the text about which you want to comment.

3. Click Insert.

4. Click Comment.

   

   A comment balloon appears in the margin of the document.

   The comment balloon is attached to the text you selected, which is highlighted in the color of the balloon.

   Word displays the Reviewing toolbar.

   

5. Type the text you want to store in the comment.

6. Click outside the comment balloon to save your comment.

   

DELETE A COMMENT

1. Click the comment balloon you want to delete.

2. Click Reject Change/Delete Comment icon () on the Reviewing toolbar.

   

   Word deletes the comment balloon and removes the highlighting from the associated text.

Can I insert a comment in Normal view or Outline view?

Yes. Follow steps 1 to 4, selecting Normal view or Outline view in step 1. When you complete step 4, Word highlights the text you selected for comment and displays the insertion point in the Reviewing pane at the bottom of the document. Type your comment. To continue working, click in the document. To hide the Reviewing pane, click the Reviewing pane icon ().

What do the initials and numbers that appear immediately after the highlighted comment text tell me?

The initials represent the initials of the person who made the comment, and Word numbers each comment to help you distinguish between multiple comments by the same reviewer in the same document.