Fix Text Comment Tools Locked and Grayed Out in Adobe Acrobat
Question details
The user needs to enable text commenting options that are currently disabled or unavailable for their PDF files.
- Product
- Adobe Acrobat / Adobe Reader
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Attempting to annotate, highlight, or add text comments to a PDF document for review or editing purposes.
- Observed behavior
- The text comment options are disabled and grayed out across one or multiple PDF files, preventing the user from adding any comments.
Verify that the PDF document is not digitally signed or certified, as these security measures automatically lock annotation features to prevent tampering.
Check Document Security and Restrictions
Use this solution to find out if the document creator has restricted the commenting permissions of the PDF.
PDF creators often apply security settings to their documents that restrict certain actions, such as editing, printing, or commenting. If commenting is restricted, the tools will automatically gray out.
Launch Adobe Acrobat or Reader, open the affected PDF, and go to 'File' > 'Properties' from the top menu.
In the Document Properties dialog box, click on the 'Security' tab to view the document's permission settings.
Look at the 'Document Restrictions Summary' box. Check if the 'Commenting' status says 'Not Allowed'.
If commenting is not allowed, you will need to click 'Change Settings', enter the permissions password provided by the author, and modify the security level to allow annotations.
Repair or Update Adobe Acrobat
Use this solution if the comment tools are grayed out on all PDFs, including unrestricted ones, indicating a software glitch.
Easily Add Comments and Annotate PDFs with WPS PDF
If you are struggling with heavy PDF software or encountering interface glitches, WPS Office provides a fast, lightweight, and powerful PDF editor. It allows you to easily view, annotate, and comment on PDFs without the hassle.
- 1. Launch WPS Office: Open WPS Office and select the 'PDF' tab from the home screen.
- 2. Open Your PDF: Click 'Open' and select the PDF document you wish to review or annotate.
- 3. Access Comment Tools: Navigate to the 'Comment' tab located on the top ribbon to view all available annotation tools.
- 4. Add Your Comments: Click on 'Text Comment' or 'Highlight', then click anywhere on your document to start typing your feedback.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are my PDF comment tools grayed out even when the document has no password?
The document might be digitally certified or signed, which automatically disables editing and commenting to preserve the document's integrity. Alternatively, the file might be opened in PDF/A View Mode, which locks it for long-term archiving.
How do I turn off PDF/A view in Acrobat to allow commenting?
Go to 'Edit' > 'Preferences' (or 'Acrobat' > 'Preferences' on Mac). Select 'Documents' from the left pane, and under 'PDF/A View Mode', change the 'View documents in PDF/A mode' setting to 'Never'. Reopen your document.
Can I force unlock a PDF for commenting if I don't have the password?
No. Adobe Acrobat strictly enforces document security. If the document creator applied a permissions password to restrict commenting, you must enter that specific password to re-enable the tools.
