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Can Viewers Comment on Embedded Videos in Microsoft Sway?

Maira Mehtab Sep 22, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user wants to know if viewers without editing access can comment on or react to SharePoint videos embedded in a Sway newsletter.

Product: Microsoft Sway
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Distributing a company newsletter via Microsoft Sway that includes embedded SharePoint videos.
Observed behavior: Currently, only users with editing access to the Sway document can comment on or react to the embedded videos, while view-only users cannot.

Before you start

Verify the sharing permissions of both your Microsoft Sway presentation and the source SharePoint video to ensure they are accessible to your intended audience.

Solution 1Recommended

Understand Sway Viewer Limitations and Submit Feedback

Microsoft Sway currently does not support commenting for view-only users on embedded content.

At present, Sway focuses primarily on presenting content rather than interactive collaboration for viewers. Because of this, view-only users cannot leave comments or reactions on embedded SharePoint videos directly within the Sway interface.

If this interactive feature is essential for your company newsletters, the best course of action is to submit a feature request directly to Microsoft.

Open the Feedback Portal

Navigate to the official Microsoft Sway Feedback Portal in your web browser.

Submit a Feature Request

Log in with your Microsoft account, search for existing requests regarding 'view-only comments on embedded videos', and either upvote an existing thread or create a new suggestion detailing your company newsletter scenario.

Alternative Workaround: Consider adding a hyperlink below your embedded video in Sway that directs viewers to a Microsoft Form or a dedicated SharePoint page where they have permission to leave comments.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I enable comments on a SharePoint video outside of Sway?

Yes. If users access the video directly via SharePoint or Microsoft Stream, you can enable comments in the video settings, provided the viewers have the necessary permissions on the SharePoint site.

Are there any add-ins that allow viewers to comment on Sway?

No, Microsoft Sway does not currently support third-party add-ins or extensions for view-only commenting.

How else can I gather feedback on a Sway newsletter?

You can embed a Microsoft Form directly into your Sway presentation. Viewers can fill out the form to submit their feedback or comments without needing edit access to the Sway document itself.

Do co-authors have the ability to comment on embedded videos?

Yes, users who are granted editing permissions (co-authors) can interact with, edit, and comment on the Sway content, depending on the specific permissions set on the embedded video source.

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