How to add a note or comment to a PDF on Mac
A comment anywhere on a page — for a review round, a question to a colleague, or the note to yourself you will want in three weeks.
A highlight says something matters. A note says what. It is the difference between marking a clause and asking whether the clause is right.
Notes is part of Premium, so it carries a small lock in the document actions panel and in the menu bar. The lock is a label rather than a barrier — you can open the feature and see what it does before deciding to unlock it. Reading and every page operation stay free.
Adding one
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Choose the note tool
In the tool pill along the bottom of the window.
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Click where the comment belongs
A marker appears on the page at that point and a small panel opens for the text.
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Write the comment
Say what you mean rather than what is wrong. “Is this the 2025 figure or the 2024 one?” is more use than “check”.
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Close it
The marker stays on the page. Click it any time to reopen the comment; click and drag to move it.
Note or text box?
They look similar and do opposite jobs.
| Note | Text box | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | A comment about the document | Content added to the document |
| How it appears | A marker that opens when clicked | Text visible on the page |
| When printed | Usually as a marker or a list | As part of the page |
| Use it for | “This figure looks wrong” | The figure that replaces it |
A useful rule: if the reader is meant to act on it and then delete it, it is a note. If the reader is meant to keep it, it is a text box.
Writing comments people act on
- Be specific about the place. Put the note next to the thing it is about, not at the top of the page.
- Say what you want to happen. “Replace with the audited figure” beats “wrong”.
- Separate questions from instructions. A reviewer who cannot tell the difference will guess, and guess wrong.
- Use one colour for questions and another for changes, if you make a lot of both.
The annotations list in the sidebar shows every note in the document in one place. Reading your own comments in a list — rather than rediscovering them while scrolling — catches the ones that made sense at the time and do not any more.
Sending and receiving comments
Notes are stored inside the document, so sending the file sends the comments. If several people are commenting on the same document and the rounds start crossing, Compare Versions will show you what actually changed between the copy you sent and the one that came back.
Frequently asked questions
How do I add a comment to a PDF on a Mac?
Choose the note tool from the pill along the bottom, click where the comment belongs and write it. A marker stays on the page and opens when clicked.
What is the difference between a note and a text box?
A note is a comment about the document. A text box is content added to the document and printed as part of the page. If the reader is meant to act on it then delete it, it is a note.
Will the person I send it to see my comments?
Yes. Comments are stored in the document, so sending the file sends them.
How do I see all the comments in a document?
The annotations list in the sidebar collects every mark in one place, so you can step through them rather than hunting.
Can I move a note after placing it?
Yes — click and drag the marker. Every mark can be moved, recoloured or removed after the fact.
Do notes print?
How notes appear in print depends on the print options you choose; the marker or a list of comments is usual. A text box always prints as part of the page.