How to Keep Sticky Note Pop-Ups Open in Adobe Acrobat
Question details
The user needs to prevent sticky note pop-ups from closing automatically when working in the document.
- Product
- Adobe Acrobat
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Reviewing or annotating a PDF document where multiple sticky notes need to remain visible on the screen.
- Observed behavior
- Sticky note pop-ups close unexpectedly, especially when the Comments List panel is open, despite having sufficient screen space.
Ensure you have the document saved before making preference changes. Note that the exact layout of the Preferences menu may vary slightly depending on whether you are using Acrobat X Pro, Acrobat DC, or another version.
Disable the Option to Hide Comment Pop-ups
Adjusting the built-in preferences is the most effective way to stop Acrobat from automatically hiding your sticky notes when the Comments List is active.
By default, Acrobat may attempt to save screen space by automatically closing individual pop-up notes whenever the consolidated Comments List panel is open on the side.
Go to the top menu bar, click on 'Edit', and select 'Preferences' from the drop-down menu (or press Ctrl+K on Windows / Cmd+K on Mac).
In the Preferences dialog box, look at the Categories sidebar on the left and select 'Commenting'.
Locate the checkbox labeled 'Hide comment pop-ups when Comments List is open' and clear it.
Click the 'OK' button to save your settings. You should now be able to keep your sticky note pop-ups open simultaneously with the Comments List.
Manually Reopen Sticky Notes
If you do not want to change your global application settings, you can manually trigger individual sticky notes to display their pop-ups on demand.
Easily Add and Manage PDF Comments with WPS Office
If you are frustrated by complex comment settings and disappearing pop-ups, WPS PDF offers a highly intuitive interface for annotating PDFs. Sticky notes and comments are neatly organized, easy to read, and remain accessible without unexpected closures.
- 1. Open your PDF in WPS: Launch WPS Office and open your PDF document using the WPS PDF tool.
- 2. Access Comment Tools: Navigate to the 'Comment' tab on the top ribbon to access all annotation features.
- 3. Insert Sticky Notes: Click the 'Note' icon and click anywhere on the document page to place a sticky note that stays visible and is easy to manage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do my sticky notes disappear when I open the Comments List in Acrobat?
By default, Acrobat tries to save visual screen space by hiding individual pop-up notes when the consolidated Comments List panel is open. This behavior is controlled by a preference setting in the Commenting category.
Can I print a PDF with the sticky note pop-ups open?
Yes. First, go to Edit > Preferences > Commenting and check 'Print notes and pop-ups'. Then, open the Print dialog box and select 'Document and Markups' under the 'Comments & Forms' dropdown menu before printing.
How do I change the default color of my sticky notes?
Right-click any sticky note icon, select 'Properties', choose your desired color in the Appearance tab, and check 'Make Properties Default' before clicking OK.
Will sticky notes added in Acrobat be visible in other PDF readers?
Yes, sticky notes are saved as standard PDF annotations. This means they will be perfectly visible to users who view the file in other compatible PDF software, such as WPS PDF, macOS Preview, or modern web browsers.
