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How to Change Comment Author Name in Acrobat Reader for iOS
Question details
The user wants to update the author name displayed on existing and future PDF comments made using an iPad.
- Product
- Adobe Acrobat Reader
- Device & OS
- iOS / iPadOS
- Scenario
- Reviewing and annotating a PDF document on a mobile device and needing the feedback to reflect a specific author name.
- Observed behavior
- The user is unable to find an option on iOS to change the author name for comments and noted that existing comments cannot be renamed even on desktop software.
Ensure your Acrobat Reader app is updated to the latest version on your iPad or iPhone so that you have access to all current preference settings.
Update the Author Name for New Comments via Preferences
Change the default author name in the app settings so that all future annotations display your correct profile name.
Due to document tracking standards, PDF reader applications lock the author name on existing comments to preserve the integrity of document reviews. However, you can easily change the author name for any new comments you create.
Open the Acrobat Reader app on your iOS device. Look at the top right corner of the home screen and tap on your profile icon (or the pie icon).
From the dropdown menu, select 'Preferences' and then tap on 'Author name'.
Type your desired author name into the text field and save your changes. Any new comments or annotations you add to PDFs will now use this updated name.
Manually Recreate Existing Comments
Since existing comments cannot be retroactively modified with a new author name, recreating them is the only workaround.
Manage PDF Comments Easily with WPS Office
If you frequently review and annotate documents across multiple devices, WPS Office provides a robust, all-in-one PDF toolkit. It makes adding, editing, and managing comments straightforward while offering powerful features for editing text, merging files, and signing documents.
- 1. Open Your PDF: Launch WPS Office and open your PDF document.
- 2. Access the Comment Tools: Navigate to the 'Comment' tab on the top toolbar to reveal the annotation options.
- 3. Select an Annotation Tool: Choose the Text Comment, Highlight, or Note tool depending on your feedback needs.
- 4. Add Your Feedback: Tap or click on the document where you want to leave your feedback and type your comment.
- 5. Manage All Comments: Use the comment pane on the side of the screen to quickly review, navigate, or delete annotations across the entire document.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why can't I change the author name on existing PDF comments?
Standard PDF security and document tracking rules lock the author name once a comment is saved. This prevents unauthorized tampering of feedback during document reviews. To change the name, the comment must be recreated.
Where exactly is the Preferences menu in Acrobat Reader for iPad?
The Preferences menu can be accessed by tapping your profile icon, or the small pie icon, located in the top-right corner of the app's main screen before opening a specific document.
Does changing the comment author name affect my main Adobe ID?
No, updating the Author Name in the app's preferences only changes the local display name used for PDF annotations. It does not alter your overarching Adobe ID account name.
Can I edit PDF comment author names in bulk on a Windows PC?
Even on desktop software like Acrobat Pro, changing the author name on already saved comments is restricted. Bulk changes typically require specialized script actions; otherwise, manual recreation is necessary.
