Does Adobe Acrobat Have Track Changes for PDFs? Best Workarounds
Question details
The user is looking for a feature in Adobe Acrobat that visibly records text edits similarly to Microsoft Word's Track Changes function for document review.
- Product
- Adobe Acrobat
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Collaborating on a PDF document where another person needs to review proposed additions, deletions, and formatting changes.
- Observed behavior
- Adobe Acrobat does not have a native, real-time track changes feature, requiring users to rely on alternative tools like Compare Documents or annotations.
Before proceeding, ensure you have both the original and the newly edited versions of your PDF saved separately, as identifying edits typically requires comparing two distinct files.
Use the Compare Documents Tool
Since Acrobat lacks real-time track changes, the Compare Documents feature is the most robust built-in option to identify modifications between an original and a revised PDF.
This tool scans two different versions of a PDF and generates a detailed report outlining every text, image, and formatting difference, effectively mimicking a tracked changes overview.
Launch Adobe Acrobat Pro, click on the 'Tools' tab at the top of the interface, and select 'Compare Files'.
Click 'Select File' on the left side to choose your original PDF document. Then, click 'Select File' on the right side to choose the revised version of the PDF.
Click the blue 'Compare' button. Acrobat will analyze both documents side-by-side.
Once completed, review the Compare Report. You can click on the highlighted differences to see exactly what was inserted, deleted, or replaced.
Utilize Comments and Markup Tools for Proposed Edits
You can manually suggest edits using Acrobat's annotation tools, which act as a manual track changes system that other reviewers can approve or reject.
Easily Track Changes by Converting PDF to Word in WPS Office
Because the PDF format is inherently rigid and lacks native real-time track changes, WPS Office provides a seamless solution: accurately converting your PDF to a Word document. Once converted, you can utilize the fully functional Track Changes feature for collaborative review, and effortlessly export it back to a polished PDF.
- 1. Open PDF in WPS: Launch WPS Office and open your PDF document.
- 2. Convert to Word: Go to the 'Tools' tab and select 'PDF to Word' to convert your document into an editable format.
- 3. Enable Track Changes: Open the converted document in WPS Writer, go to the 'Review' tab, and click 'Track Changes' to start recording your edits.
- 4. Export as PDF: Once the review process is complete, go to 'Menu' > 'Export to PDF' to save the final version.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I track changes in the free version of Adobe Acrobat Reader?
No, Adobe Acrobat Reader does not have track changes or the Compare Files tool. You can only use basic commenting tools like sticky notes and highlights to leave feedback.
Why don't PDFs have a track changes feature like Word?
The PDF format was originally designed as a fixed-layout format for reliable viewing and printing, rather than a fluid word processing format. This makes tracking real-time text reflow and structural edits technically complex within native PDF editors.
Can multiple people comment on a PDF at the same time in Adobe Acrobat?
Yes, Acrobat allows you to send a PDF for shared commenting using Adobe Document Cloud. This enables multiple reviewers to add annotations, highlights, and replies to the same document simultaneously.
