How to Fix Acrobat Comment Text Formatting Controls Disappearing
Question details
Users experience an interface glitch where the text formatting controls vanish when trying to modify text box comments in Adobe Acrobat.
- Product
- Adobe Acrobat DC and Reader DC
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Editing text box comments and attempting to adjust text formatting such as font type, size, or style.
- Observed behavior
- The formatting controls disappear immediately after selecting an option or clicking the 'Aa' button. Users must currently close and reopen the comment panel to temporarily restore the controls.
Save any open PDF documents to prevent data loss, and ensure you have an active internet connection to download the required software updates.
Update Adobe Acrobat and Reader to the Latest Version
Installing the official Adobe update (version 19.021.20049 or later) directly addresses and permanently resolves the comment-formatting interface bug.
The Adobe Acrobat Desktop Team acknowledged this interface issue and released a specific patch to fix the disappearing formatting controls. While this update is pushed automatically to most users, triggering the update manually guarantees your software receives the fix immediately.
Launch your Adobe Acrobat DC or Adobe Reader DC application on your computer.
Navigate to the top menu bar and click on the 'Help' tab.
Select 'Check for Updates' from the dropdown menu to communicate with Adobe's servers.
Follow the on-screen prompts to download and install the latest available updates, ensuring your version upgrades to at least 19.021.20049.
Close and reopen Adobe Acrobat to fully apply the update and verify that the text formatting controls now remain visible when clicking the 'Aa' button.
Temporarily Close and Reopen the Comment Panel
Use this temporary workaround to restore formatting controls if you cannot immediately install the software update.
Use WPS PDF to Comment and Format Text Without Interruptions
WPS Office includes a highly stable, powerful, and free PDF editor. You can easily add text box comments, customize fonts, sizes, and colors, and manage annotations seamlessly without dealing with interface bugs or disappearing controls.
- 1. Open your PDF: Launch WPS Office and open your target PDF file.
- 2. Navigate to Comments: Click on the 'Comment' tab located on the top ribbon menu.
- 3. Add a Text Box: Select the 'Text Box' tool and click anywhere on your document to insert a comment.
- 4. Format Your Text: Highlight your text and use the pop-up formatting toolbar to easily change your font style, size, and color without interruptions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do my text formatting controls keep disappearing in Adobe Acrobat?
This is caused by a known interface bug in older builds of Adobe Acrobat DC and Reader DC where interacting with the 'Aa' button triggers the formatting panel to hide. Adobe resolved this issue in version 19.021.20049 and newer.
Can I format text in Acrobat comments without using the 'Aa' button?
Yes. As an alternative workaround, you can highlight the text inside your comment box, right-click, and select 'Text Properties'. This opens a separate dialog box where you can adjust your text formatting.
How do I find out which version of Adobe Acrobat I am currently using?
Open your Adobe Acrobat application, click on 'Help' in the top menu bar, and select 'About Adobe Acrobat'. A pop-up window will appear displaying your exact release and version number.
