How to Fix Word Comments Not Appearing in PDF Conversion
Question details
The user needs to know why the Microsoft Word Reviewing pane and associated comments disappear or do not display correctly when converting a Word document to a PDF file.
- Product
- Microsoft Word / Adobe Acrobat
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Converting a Microsoft Word document containing comments and tracked changes into a PDF file using a PDF maker.
- Observed behavior
- The resulting PDF does not display the Word Reviewing pane, and comments may be completely missing unless the export settings are specifically configured beforehand.
Before converting your document, ensure all necessary comments are saved in your Word file and understand the difference between Word's native Reviewing pane interface and standard PDF document annotations.
Configure Acrobat Preferences to Include Word Comments
Adjust the Adobe PDF Maker settings within Microsoft Word to ensure comments are properly converted into PDF annotations rather than being ignored.
The Reviewing pane is a specific Microsoft Word application interface element and cannot be directly exported as a visual part of the document page. However, you can ensure that the individual comments themselves are successfully converted into standard PDF notes or annotations by adjusting your Adobe Acrobat export preferences.
Launch Microsoft Word and open the document that contains the comments you wish to export.
Click on the 'Acrobat' tab located in the top ribbon menu of Microsoft Word.
Click on 'Preferences' to open the Acrobat PDFMaker settings dialog box.
Select the 'Word' tab within the Preferences window, and check the option to enable comment conversion.
Click 'OK' to save the settings, then proceed to click 'Create PDF' to export your document with the comments included as PDF notes.
Use Microsoft Word's Native Save As PDF Feature
Use the built-in export settings in Word to publish the document along with its markup if you do not have Adobe Acrobat installed.
Export Word to PDF with Comments Using WPS Office
WPS Office provides a seamless way to convert Word documents to PDF while perfectly preserving your comments, annotations, and formatting without needing complex third-party plugins.
- 1. Open File in WPS Writer: Launch WPS Office and open your Word document containing the comments.
- 2. Select Export to PDF: Click on the 'Menu' button in the top left corner, hover over 'Export to PDF', and click to open the export dialog.
- 3. Verify Export Settings: In the export dialog box, verify your page ranges and ensure that document markup options are enabled.
- 4. Save Your PDF: Click the 'Export to PDF' button to save your file. Open the resulting PDF to view your perfectly preserved comments.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make the Word Reviewing pane visible in my final PDF?
No, the Reviewing pane is an application interface feature specific to Microsoft Word. It cannot be exported or converted into a PDF layout. Only the actual comments and tracked changes can be converted into PDF annotations.
Why are my PDF comments showing as sticky notes instead of side margins?
When Adobe PDF Maker or Word converts comments, they are often transformed into standard PDF annotations (such as sticky notes) rather than replicating Word's exact margin layout. How they display ultimately depends on the settings of the PDF viewer you are using to read the file.
Do I need Adobe Acrobat to convert Word comments to PDF?
No. While Adobe Acrobat provides advanced PDF Maker tools, you can also use Microsoft Word's native 'Save As PDF' feature (by selecting 'Document showing markup' in the options) or use free office software like WPS Office to retain your comments during conversion.
