How to Change the Font and Style of Word Comments
Question details
The user needs to change the font and formatting styles (such as applying Times New Roman) of comments within a Word document.
- Product
- Microsoft Word
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Attempting to format comment text when direct font controls appear to be unavailable or disabled in the modern comments interface.
- Observed behavior
- The selected font is not retained or applied to individual comment text, and font control options are greyed out in the modern comment bubbles.
Verify your version of Word, as the modern comments interface handles formatting differently than older versions and may hide direct formatting tools.
Modify the Comment Text and Balloon Text Styles
Modify the built-in comment styles to apply a consistent font and style to all comments in your document.
In the modern comments interface of Word, direct font controls are often disabled, and formatting might not display directly in the side bubbles. By modifying the underlying styles, you ensure the correct font is applied when viewing the Reviewing Pane, printing, or exporting to PDF.
Press the Ctrl + Shift + S keys simultaneously on your keyboard to open the Apply Styles floating pane.
In the Style Name drop-down box, type 'Comment Text' or 'Balloon Text', then click the Modify button.
In the Modify Style dialog box, choose your desired font (such as Times New Roman) and adjust the font size under the Formatting section.
Choose whether to apply these changes only to the current document or to all new documents based on this template, then click OK.
Use WPS Writer for Seamless Comment Formatting
WPS Office provides an intuitive and highly compatible word processor where you can easily insert, format, and manage document comments without restrictive modern interface limitations.
- 1. Open your document in WPS Writer: Launch WPS Office and open the document containing the comments you want to edit.
- 2. Navigate to the Review tab: Click on the Review tab located on the top ribbon menu to access collaboration tools.
- 3. Select or insert a comment: Click 'New Comment' to insert a fresh comment, or simply click inside an existing comment bubble.
- 4. Format the comment text: Highlight the text inside the comment and use the standard font tools in the Home tab to change the typeface, size, and style effortlessly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why can't I change the font directly in a Word comment?
In newer versions of Microsoft Word using the modern comments experience, direct formatting controls are often restricted to keep the interface clean and uniform. To change the font globally, you must modify the 'Comment Text' or 'Balloon Text' style.
Will my custom comment formatting show up when I print the document?
Yes. Even if the modern comment bubbles hide your chosen font on the screen, the custom font and style modifications will appear correctly when you print the document, view it in Print Preview, or export it as a PDF.
How do I view my formatted comments on the screen?
You can see the fully formatted comment text by opening the Reviewing Pane. Navigate to the Review tab on the ribbon and click Reviewing Pane to display all comments with their applied styles on the side of your screen.
