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How to Change Word Comments from Balloons to the Comments Pane
Question details
The user wants to display comments in a dedicated pane rather than as floating balloons next to the document text.
- Product
- Microsoft Word
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Reviewing a document where comments are defaulting to Modern Comments in a contextual balloon layout.
- Observed behavior
- Comments appear beside the document in floating balloons instead of being listed in a static comments pane.
Ensure you are using a recent version of Microsoft Word (Microsoft 365 or Word 2021), as the Modern Comments feature causing this layout is not present in older versions.
Switch to List View in the Review Tab
This is the quickest way to change the Modern Comments display from floating balloons back to a dedicated pane.
Microsoft Word's Modern Comments feature defaults to a 'Contextual' view. Changing this to 'List' view forces the comments into a right-side pane.
Open your Microsoft Word document and click on the 'Review' tab located in the top ribbon.
In the Comments group on the ribbon, find the 'Show Comments' button, which has a small dropdown arrow next to it.
Click the dropdown and select 'List'. This will instantly hide the balloons and open the Comments Pane on the right side of the window.
Use the Reviewing Pane for Comprehensive Tracking
If you are managing both text revisions and comments, the Reviewing Pane offers a single interface for all markups.
Disable Modern Comments Entirely
If you prefer the classic Microsoft Word comment interface, you can turn off Modern Comments from the application settings.
Manage Comments Easily with WPS Office
If changing interface settings is slowing you down, try WPS Office. WPS Writer provides a classic, straightforward comments pane that makes reviewing documents simple and clutter-free from the moment you open it.
- 1. Open Your Document in WPS Writer: Launch WPS Office and open the .docx file you need to review.
- 2. Go to the Review Tab: Click on 'Review' in the top ribbon to access the collaboration tools.
- 3. Enable the Reviewing Pane: Click 'Reviewing Pane' to immediately display a neat, organized list of all comments and revisions on the side of your document.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did my Word comments suddenly change to balloons?
Microsoft introduced 'Modern Comments' in recent updates to Office 365. This feature sets comments to a contextual view by default, meaning they float as balloons next to the text to save screen space.
Will turning off Modern Comments delete my current comments?
No. Disabling Modern Comments only changes how the interface displays your comments. All the text and replies within your comments remain safely saved in your document.
How do I print my document without the comment balloons showing?
To print a clean copy without comments, go to File > Print. Under Settings, click the dropdown menu that says 'Print All Pages' and uncheck 'Print Markup' at the bottom of the list.
Why can't I edit text directly in the modern comment pane?
In the Modern Comments List view, comments are locked by default to prevent accidental edits. You must click the small pencil icon on the comment bubble to enter editing mode.
