How to Add Comments to A PDF on Mac

Adding comments to a PDF file can be a useful way to provide feedback, make notes, or collaborate with others. Whether you’re a student, a professional, or someone who frequently deals with PDF documents, knowing how to add comments to a PDF can save you time and effort. In this blog post, we will explore different methods and techniques to add comments to a PDF on Mac.

Video Tutorial:

What is Adding Comments to a PDF?

Adding comments to a PDF involves inserting annotations, highlights, text boxes, or sticky notes onto the document. These comments serve as a way to provide feedback, make notes, ask questions, or mark important sections. By adding comments, you can easily communicate your thoughts or make changes to a PDF without altering the original content. This feature is especially useful when collaborating with others or reviewing documents.

The Challenge of Adding Comments to a PDF

Adding comments to a PDF can sometimes be challenging due to different software options and techniques available. Here are some common challenges you may encounter:

• Compatibility: Not all PDF readers or editors support a wide range of comment features.
• Learning Curve: Different software may have different methods and interfaces for adding comments.
• Accessibility: Sometimes, PDFs may be locked or restricted, making it impossible to add comments directly.
• Collaboration: When working on a PDF with multiple contributors, coordinating comments can be a challenge.

Method 1. How to Add Comments to a PDF Using Adobe Acrobat Reader

Adobe Acrobat Reader is one of the most popular PDF software available. It offers a range of comment and annotation tools that make it easy to add notes, highlights, and more. Here’s how to add comments using Adobe Acrobat Reader:

1. Open the PDF file in Adobe Acrobat Reader.
2. Click on the "Comment" menu option at the top.
3. Choose the appropriate tool, such as "Add Sticky Note" or "Highlight Text."
4. Click on the desired location in the PDF to add the comment.
5. Type your comment or annotation in the text box that appears.
6. To customize the comment, right-click on it and select "Properties."
7. Save the PDF once you’re done adding comments.

Pros:
1. Adobe Acrobat Reader is a widely used and trusted PDF software.
2. Offers a wide range of commenting tools and features.
3. Allows for customization and formatting of comments.

Cons:
1. Adobe Acrobat Reader can be resource-intensive and may slow down older computers.
2. Some advanced comment features may require a paid subscription.
3. The interface and layout can be overwhelming for new users.

Method 2. How to Add Comments to a PDF Using Preview

Preview is the default PDF viewer on Mac and offers basic annotation and comment features. Although it may not have as many options as Adobe Acrobat Reader, it’s a reliable and easy-to-use tool. Here’s how to add comments using Preview:

1. Open the PDF file in Preview.
2. Click on the "Markup" toolbar icon.
3. Choose the desired annotation tool, like the text box or highlighter.
4. Click on the desired location in the PDF to add the comment.
5. Type your comment or annotation in the text box that appears.
6. To customize the comment, right-click on it and select "Edit."
7. Save the PDF once you’re done adding comments.

Pros:
1. Preview is a built-in application on Mac, which means it’s readily available without any additional installations.
2. Offers basic annotation and comment features that are easy to use.
3. Integration with other Mac productivity features, such as sharing options and iCloud.

Cons:
1. Limited in functionalities compared to dedicated PDF software like Adobe Acrobat Reader.
2. Cannot handle complex annotations or advanced comment features.
3. Not cross-platform compatible, limiting collaboration possibilities.

Method 3. How to Add Comments to a PDF Using Third-Party Apps

If you’re looking for more advanced comment features or specialized tools, third-party PDF applications are worth exploring. Many options are available, including PDFelement, Foxit Reader, and PDF Expert. Here’s a general method using PDFelement as an example:

1. Download and install PDFelement on your Mac.
2. Open the PDF file in PDFelement.
3. Click on the "Comment" tab in the top toolbar.
4. Choose the appropriate tool to add comments, like sticky notes or text boxes.
5. Click on the desired location in the PDF to add the comment.
6. Type your comment or annotation in the text box that appears.
7. Customize the comment settings if necessary.
8. Save the PDF once you’re done adding comments.

Pros:
1. Third-party apps offer specialized features and advanced comment tools.
2. Greater customization options and flexibility in adding comments.
3. Some apps provide additional features like OCR (optical character recognition) or form filling.

Cons:
1. Third-party apps may require a purchase or subscription for full functionality.
2. Installation and setup may take additional time and resources.
3. Different apps have different interfaces and learning curves.

Method 4. How to Add Comments to a PDF Using Online PDF Editors

Another option for adding comments to a PDF is using online PDF editors. These web-based tools allow you to upload, edit, and save PDF documents directly from your browser. Here’s a general method using Sejda PDF Editor as an example:

1. Open the Sejda PDF Editor website in your browser.
2. Upload the PDF file you want to add comments to.
3. Select the appropriate tool to add comments, like text, highlight, or underline.
4. Click on the desired location in the PDF to add the comment.
5. Type your comment or annotation in the text box that appears.
6. Customize the comment settings if necessary.
7. Save the edited PDF once you’re done adding comments.

Pros:
1. Online PDF editors are convenient, as they don’t require any installations.
2. Can be accessed from any device with an internet connection.
3. Often provide a range of editing and commenting tools.

Cons:
1. Limited features compared to dedicated PDF software.
2. Concerns about privacy and data security, especially for sensitive documents.
3. Relies on a stable internet connection, and performance may vary depending on network speed.

Alternatives: What to Do If You Can’t Add Comments to a PDF

If you encounter restrictions or difficulties adding comments to a PDF, here are some alternative solutions to consider:

1. Share Feedback Separately: If you can’t directly add comments to the PDF, share your feedback or notes via email, messaging apps, or document collaboration platforms.
2. Use Track Changes: Instead of comments, consider using track changes feature in word processing software, like Microsoft Word or Google Docs, to suggest changes and provide feedback.
3. Print and Annotate: If you have a physical copy of the PDF, you can print it and use traditional pen and paper to add comments or make notes.

Bonus Tips

Here are some bonus tips to enhance your commenting experience on PDFs:

1. Use Color Coding: Assign different colors to different types of comments or annotations, making it easier to differentiate and organize them.
2. Prioritize Comments: If you’re working on a collaborative project, use a numbering or labeling system to prioritize comments that require immediate attention.
3. Make Use of Summary Tools: Some PDF software offers summary tools that consolidate all the comments into a separate document, making it easier to review or share feedback.

5 FAQs about Adding Comments to a PDF

Q1: Can I add comments to a password-protected PDF?

A: It depends on the software you’re using. Some applications allow adding comments to password-protected PDFs, while others may require the password to be removed before making any changes.

Q2: Can I see comments made by others in a PDF?

A: Yes, if you’re collaborating on a PDF file, most software will allow you to see and respond to comments made by others. You can also provide your own comments and annotations.

Q3: Can I print a PDF with the comments visible?

A: Yes, when printing a PDF, you can usually choose to include or exclude comments. Check the print settings and select the option to include comments.

Q4: Can I add comments to a scanned PDF?

A: Yes, if you’re using OCR (optical character recognition) software or PDF editors that support scanned PDFs, you can add comments just like with regular PDFs. However, note that the accuracy of OCR depends on the quality of the scanned document.

Q5: Can I remove or delete comments from a PDF?

A: Yes, most PDF editing software allows you to remove or delete comments. You can usually select the comment and delete it using the available tools or options.

In Conclusion

Adding comments to a PDF on Mac is a valuable skill that can enhance collaboration, provide feedback, and make the document more interactive. In this blog post, we explored different methods for adding comments to a PDF using software like Adobe Acrobat Reader, Preview, PDFelement, and online PDF editors. We also discussed alternative solutions and shared bonus tips to improve your commenting experience. So go ahead and start adding comments to your PDFs, and make your document collaboration more efficient and effective.