How to Keep a Commenting Tool Active in Adobe Acrobat
Question details
The user wants to use a drawing or markup tool repeatedly without returning to the Comments toolbar after every single use.
- Product
- Adobe Acrobat
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Continuously annotating, highlighting, or drawing on a PDF document.
- Observed behavior
- By default, Acrobat deselects the commenting tool after one use, forcing the user to reselect it manually for the next markup.
Ensure that your PDF document is open in Adobe Acrobat and that the Comments toolbar is expanded so you can view all available markup icons.
Use the Pushpin Icon to Keep the Tool Selected
Activate the 'Keep tool selected' pushpin feature in the Comments toolbar to lock your chosen tool for continuous marking.
Go to the 'Tools' menu at the top of Acrobat and select 'Comment' to open the Comments toolbar.
Click on the specific commenting tool you want to use, such as the highlighter, text box, or drawing tool.
Look for the pushpin icon (Keep tool selected) located on the right side of the Comments toolbar and click it. The tool will now remain active.
Apply your markups to the PDF. The tool will stay selected until you press the 'Esc' key or click another tool.
Continuously Annotate PDFs for Free with WPS Office
If you frequently annotate PDFs and want a smoother experience, WPS Office offers an intuitive, built-in PDF editor. It provides seamless, continuous highlighting and drawing without the hassle of constantly reselecting tools.
- 1. Open Your PDF in WPS Office: Launch WPS Office and open your PDF document.
- 2. Navigate to the Comment Tab: Click on the 'Comment' tab on the top ribbon to reveal the annotation tools.
- 3. Select a Markup Tool: Choose the highlighter, shape, or text tool you need for your review.
- 4. Annotate Your Document: Apply the tool continuously across your document as WPS Office intelligently keeps your selected tool active.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my Acrobat tool switch back to the selection pointer after one use?
Adobe Acrobat's default behavior returns to the selection tool after a single use to prevent accidental markups on your document. You must enable the pushpin icon to override this.
How do I turn off the continuous commenting tool once enabled?
To stop continuous commenting, simply press the 'Esc' key on your keyboard, or click the pushpin icon again to unselect the 'Keep tool selected' feature.
Does the pushpin setting save when I restart Acrobat?
No, the 'Keep tool selected' setting typically resets when you close Adobe Acrobat. You will need to click the pushpin icon again during your next session if you need continuous commenting.
