How to Add Comments in Word on Windows, Mac, and Web

To add comments in Word, select the text you want to comment on, go to Review > New Comment, type your note, and select Post Comment. On Windows, press Ctrl + Alt + M to insert a comment faster.

Key Takeaways

• The standard method is to select text, open Review, choose New Comment, type your note, and post it.

• On Windows, Ctrl + Alt + M opens a new comment faster; you can also right-click selected text and choose New Comment.

• Comments attach feedback to text without rewriting it. Use Track Changes when you need to propose visible edits to the document itself.

• The sections below cover Word on Windows, Mac, the web, and mobile, followed by common commenting situations, comment management, troubleshooting, and WPS Writer.

Quick Ways to Add a Comment in Word

Microsoft Word provides several ways to insert comments in Word or comment on a Word document without changing the original text. The best choice depends on whether you prefer the ribbon, a context menu, or a keyboard shortcut. All three methods attach the comment to selected text or to the current cursor position.

The Review-tab method is the clearest option across modern desktop versions. If the interface on your device looks different, look for Comments, New Comment, or a speech-bubble icon.

How to Add Comments in Word from the Review Tab

This is the standard method in Microsoft Word for Windows and the most reliable starting point when you are working in a document with the desktop app.

Step 1: Select the text you want to comment on

Drag across a word, sentence, or paragraph so Word can connect your note to that exact passage. To leave a general note at a location rather than on specific words, place the cursor where the comment should appear.

Step 2: Open the Review tab

Go to the ribbon at the top of Word and select Review. This tab contains comments, tracking, comparison, spelling, and other tools used during document review.

Step 3: Choose New Comment

Select New Comment. A comment box opens beside the document or in the Comments pane, depending on your Word version and current comment-view setting.

Step 4: Type and post your comment

Enter a clear note that tells the reader what you are asking or recommending. In modern comments, the text may remain a draft until you choose Post comment or use the available posting shortcut. Posting makes the comment visible to other people who can access the document.

Good comment: “Could we add the source for this figure?” This is more actionable than a vague message such as “Fix this.” When several people review the file, concise and specific comments make each thread easier to resolve.

How to Add Comments by Right-Clicking or Using a Shortcut

Add a comment from the right-click menu

Select the relevant text, right-click it, and choose New Comment. This route is useful when you are already working near the passage and do not want to move the pointer to the ribbon. If the option does not appear, use Review > New Comment instead, because context-menu options can vary by version or editing mode.

Use the keyboard shortcut in Word for Windows

Select the text and press Ctrl + Alt + M. Word opens a new comment box so you can type immediately. This shortcut is especially useful when reviewing a long report, contract, or assignment with many separate notes.

Add a comment from the Comments pane

Open the Comments pane and choose New or New Comment. The pane is useful when you want to see discussions as a list while you continue reading the document.

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How to Add Comments in Word on Mac, Web, and Mobile

Word for Mac

The basic workflow is similar to Windows: select text, open Review, and choose New Comment. Type the note and post it. Ribbon placement and shortcuts can differ between Microsoft 365 builds, so the Review-tab method is the most consistent instruction for Mac users.

Word for the web

Open the file in editing mode, select the text, and use Review > New Comment or the Comments control near the top of the page. Enter your message and post it. Because web documents are often shared, check that your account has editing or commenting permission. A view-only link may let you read the document without adding feedback.

In a shared file, comments are normally stored with the document and can be read by people who have appropriate access. Avoid placing confidential information in a comment unless everyone with document access is allowed to see it.

Word on iPhone, iPad, or Android

Open the document in the Word mobile app, select the text or double-tap where you want the note to appear, and open the context menu. Scroll through the available actions and tap New Comment. Type the comment, post it, and save or sync the document. Mobile menus vary by screen size and app version, so the command may appear after you swipe through the context-menu options.

Common Commenting Scenarios in Word

The main Review-tab tutorial works for most documents. These focused mini tutorials cover common long-tail situations while keeping the page centered on the core task of adding comments.

How to add a comment to specific text in Word

Use this method when your feedback refers to one word, sentence, quotation, or paragraph and the reviewer needs to see the exact passage you mean.

1. Open the document and find the passage you want to discuss.

2. Drag across the exact word, sentence, or paragraph to select it.

3. Go to Review > New Comment, or right-click the selection and choose New Comment.

4. Type your feedback, then select Post Comment or press Ctrl + Enter.

The comment stays linked to the selected passage, making this approach useful for proofreading, source requests, wording suggestions, and sentence-level feedback.

How to add a general comment in Word without selecting text

A general comment is useful when your note applies to a paragraph, section, heading, or nearby idea rather than a precise group of words.

1. Click at the point in the document where the general note should appear.

2. Open the Review tab and choose New Comment.

3. Write a clear note that names the paragraph or section you are referring to.

4. Select Post Comment to add the note at the cursor position.

When the feedback concerns an exact sentence, select that sentence first. Anchoring the comment to text is usually clearer for other reviewers.

How to add a comment in a shared Word document and tag someone

In a shared Microsoft 365 document, you can add a normal comment and mention a collaborator so the right person can find the discussion quickly.

1. Confirm that the document is saved in a shared location and that the intended reviewer has access.

2. Select the relevant text, then choose Review > New Comment.

3. Type @ followed by the collaborator’s name and select the correct person from the suggestions.

4. Add the rest of your question or feedback.

5. Select Post Comment. Word may notify the mentioned person and provide a link to the discussion.

If the person does not appear in the mention list or cannot open the comment, check the document’s sharing permissions and account access.

How to Reply to, Edit, and Resolve Comments

Reply to a comment

Select the comment thread, choose Reply, type your response, and post it. Replies keep the conversation attached to the original passage, which is clearer than adding a separate comment for the same issue.

Edit your own comment

Open the comment’s menu and choose the available edit option. Word generally lets you revise comments you created, subject to the document’s permissions and the version you are using. Editing is helpful for correcting wording, but a reply may be more transparent when the discussion has already started.

Resolve a finished discussion

When a question has been answered or the requested revision is complete, use Resolve thread if it is available. Resolving removes the conversation from the active review list without treating it as a tracked text edit. You may still be able to reopen the thread later.

Check the name shown beside your comments

Word uses account or author information to identify reviewers. If the wrong name appears, follow the dedicated guide to change the name shown in Word document comments rather than changing names manually inside every message.

How to View, Hide, and Remove Comments in a Word Document

View all comment threads

Open the Comments pane when you need a complete list of active discussions. The exact button varies by Word version, but it normally appears near the upper-right area or on the Review tab. For a device-by-device walkthrough, see how to view comments on a Word document.

Hide comments without deleting them

Changing the markup or comment display can make the document easier to read, but hidden comments still remain in the file. If your goal is only to reduce visual clutter while editing, use the display controls. The guide on how to turn off comments on a Word document explains the difference between hiding comment indicators, closing the pane, and disabling related review views.

Remove comments before final sharing

Delete an individual thread only when its discussion is no longer needed. Before sending a final document outside your team, inspect the entire file rather than assuming that closing the Comments pane removed the notes. For single-comment and document-wide cleanup methods, use the guide to remove comments from a Word document.

Export a clean PDF

A PDF may include markup depending on the print or export settings used. Confirm the preview before sharing the file. Follow the separate instructions for saving a Word document as a PDF without comments when the final copy should contain only the document content.

Comments vs. Track Changes: What Should You Accept?

Comments and tracked changes serve different purposes. A comment is a note or discussion attached to the document. A tracked change records an edit, such as inserted text, deleted text, or changed formatting.

This distinction matters because users often ask how to “accept comments,” when they actually need to accept tracked revisions. The detailed guide on how to accept comments and review changes in a Word document helps you identify the correct control before finalizing the file.

How to Add Comments to a Word Document in WPS Writer

WPS Writer can open and edit Word-compatible DOC and DOCX files, so it can be used when you need to review a document without changing its file format.

Step 1: Open the Word document in WPS Writer

Launch WPS Office, choose the document, and open it in Writer. Check that the file is not read-only and that you can edit it.

Step 2: Select the text for your note

Highlight the word, sentence, or paragraph that needs feedback. This makes the connection between the note and the document clear.

Step 3: Insert the comment

Choose Review > New Comment. Some WPS Writer layouts may also show the Comment command under Insert. Type your feedback in the comment area and save the document after finishing your review.

Teachers who need a broader marking workflow can also read how to annotate and comment on students’ Word documents in WPS Office. That guide focuses on the classroom use case rather than repeating the general Word-comment workflow here.

Troubleshooting Word Comment Issues

If comments are unavailable or do not appear as expected, the cause is usually the document mode, permissions, synchronization, or comment display settings. Match the symptom below with the most likely fix.

Why is New Comment grayed out?

The file may be in Protected View, read-only mode, or a restricted section. Choose Enable Editing when the document is trusted, or ask the owner for permission. In a shared file, confirm that your link allows editing or commenting rather than viewing only.

Why are my comments not showing?

The Comments pane may be closed, the document may be using a different markup view, or the thread may already be resolved. Open the Comments pane and review the display settings before assuming the comment was deleted.

Why can’t another person see my new comment?

Make sure you posted the comment rather than leaving it as a draft, saved or synced the document, and shared the correct version of the file. In a cloud document, also check that the other person can access the latest copy.

Why is my comment attached to the wrong text?

Delete the misplaced comment and select the exact passage again before creating a new one. Selecting a complete phrase or sentence is usually clearer than placing the cursor between two words, especially when several reviewers are discussing nearby content.

Quick FAQs About Word Comments

These short answers cover common questions that do not require a separate troubleshooting walkthrough.

What is the shortcut for adding a comment in Word?

On Windows, select the relevant text and press Ctrl + Alt + M. Type your message, then post it. Keyboard behavior can vary on Mac, so Review > New Comment is the most consistent method across versions.

Can I add a comment without changing the document text?

Yes. A comment attaches feedback to selected text or a cursor position without replacing the content. It remains separate from direct edits and tracked changes.

How do I add comments in Word for the web?

Open the document in editing mode, select the text, choose Review > New Comment, enter your message, and post it. You must have the necessary commenting or editing permission.

Can I add comments in Word on my phone?

Yes. In the Word app for iPhone, iPad, or Android, double-tap where you want the comment to appear—or select the exact text—then scroll through the context-menu options and tap New Comment. Type your note and post it. The command position may vary with the device and app version.

How do I tag someone in a Word comment?

In a supported shared Microsoft 365 document, type @ and the person’s name inside the comment, select the correct contact, and post it. The file must be shared in a way that gives that person access.

What is the difference between comments and Track Changes?

Comments contain notes and discussion. Track Changes records actual insertions, deletions, and formatting edits that a reviewer can accept or reject.

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Algirdas Jasaitis