How to Fix Word Opening the Full Comments Pane Instead of One Comment
Question details
The user wants to view individual comments in Word without triggering the full comments pane to open on the side.
- Product
- Microsoft Word
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Reviewing or editing a document containing multiple comments.
- Observed behavior
- Clicking a single comment opens the entire Comments pane instead of displaying only the selected comment next to the text.
Save your current document before proceeding, as reverting to the classic comments layout will require you to restart Microsoft Word for the changes to take effect.
Disable Modern Comments to Restore the Classic Experience
Turn off the modern comments feature in Word settings to revert to the classic comment behavior, where comments are shown individually in the margins.
Microsoft introduced a 'Modern Comments' feature that changes the default layout to a unified side pane. Disabling this feature restores the traditional margin-based commenting interface.
Click on 'File' in the top-left corner of the Word ribbon, then select 'Options' at the bottom of the left-hand menu to open the Word Options dialog box.
In the Word Options window, ensure the 'General' tab is selected on the left panel.
Scroll down to the 'User Interface options' section and uncheck the box labeled 'Enable modern comments'.
Click 'OK' to save your settings, then close and reopen Microsoft Word for the classic comments layout to be restored.
Switch to Contextual Mode in Modern Comments
If you want to keep the modern comments feature enabled but only see the selected comment, switch to the Contextual display mode.
Use WPS Office for a Cleaner, Classic Commenting Experience
If Microsoft Word's modern comments interface disrupts your workflow, consider switching to WPS Office. It offers a lightweight, highly compatible alternative with a familiar user interface that manages document reviews and comments seamlessly without forced pane layouts.
- 1. Download and Install WPS Office: Get the free WPS Office suite from the official website and install it on your device.
- 2. Open Your Document: Launch WPS Writer and open your .docx file containing the comments.
- 3. Review Comments Seamlessly: Go to the 'Review' tab to easily read, reply to, or add new comments directly in the document margins, without intrusive side panes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Word suddenly change how my comments look?
Microsoft recently introduced a feature called 'Modern Comments' to Word, which changes the default layout to show comments in a unified side pane rather than floating next to the text. This feature is enabled by default in newer updates.
Will disabling modern comments delete my existing comments?
No, turning off modern comments only changes how the comments are displayed on your screen. All existing comments, replies, and resolved statuses will remain safely stored within the document.
Do I need an Office 365 subscription to change this comment setting?
The modern comments feature is primarily rolled out to Microsoft 365 subscribers and newer perpetual versions of Office (like Office 2021). If you have this feature, the option to disable it will be available in the General settings regardless of your exact subscription tier.
How do I print my document with the comments showing on the side?
To print comments, go to the Review tab, click 'Show Markup', and ensure 'Comments' is checked. Then go to File > Print, click on 'Print All Pages' (or your current selection), and check 'Print Markup' in the settings dropdown list.
