How to Keep the Acrobat Comments Panel Hidden While Reading PDFs
Question details
The user wants to prevent the comments history panel from automatically reopening every time a comment is selected in the document.
- Product
- Adobe Acrobat Pro DC
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Reading or reviewing a PDF document that contains comments and annotations.
- Observed behavior
- Selecting a comment triggers the comments panel to reappear on the screen, even after the user has manually closed it.
Make sure you have an active internet connection and have saved all your open PDF documents before checking for application updates.
Update Adobe Acrobat to the Latest Version
Installing update 19.010.20069 or a newer release resolves the software bug causing the comments panel to reopen automatically.
In certain older versions of Acrobat Pro DC, the comments panel behavior was bugged, causing it to ignore the user's closed state whenever a comment was clicked. Adobe officially patched this issue in their later software releases.
Launch the Adobe Acrobat application on your computer.
Click on 'Help' located in the top menu bar of the application window.
Select 'Check for Updates...' from the dropdown menu. The application will connect to Adobe's servers to scan for the latest version.
Follow the on-screen prompts to download and install update 19.010.20069 or a later release.
Close and reopen Acrobat, then open a commented PDF document to verify that the comments panel now remains hidden when you select an annotation.
Manage PDF Comments Smoothly with WPS Office
If you are frustrated by distracting panels and pop-ups while reading or reviewing PDFs, WPS Office offers a highly streamlined PDF reader and editor. It allows you to view, add, and manage comments seamlessly without intrusive sidebars, ensuring a focused and productive reading experience.
- 1. Open your PDF in WPS: Launch WPS Office and open your PDF document.
- 2. Access the Comment tab: Click on the 'Comment' tab in the top ribbon to view all available annotation tools.
- 3. Toggle the comment pane: Use the sidebar toggle icon on the left of the screen to show or hide the comments list according to your reading preference.
- 4. Interact without pop-ups: Click on highlights, text boxes, or sticky notes in the document seamlessly. The side panel will remain hidden unless you manually choose to open it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does the Acrobat comments panel keep opening automatically?
In specific older versions of Adobe Acrobat Pro DC, a known software bug caused the comments history panel to trigger and reopen whenever an annotation was selected in the document, ignoring the user's preference to keep the pane closed.
Can I permanently hide the comments pane in Adobe Reader?
Yes. You can hide it by navigating to Edit > Preferences > Documents, and checking the option to 'Restore last view settings when reopening documents'. Make sure you close the pane before saving and closing the file.
Does updating Acrobat delete my customized settings or signatures?
No, performing a standard software update via the Help menu will preserve your existing preferences, saved signatures, and customized toolbars while applying important bug fixes.
How do I hide all comments in a PDF temporarily to read the text?
To temporarily hide comments from view, open the Comments pane, click on the Filter icon (or the Options menu), and select 'Hide All Comments'. This makes the document easier to read without actually deleting any of the annotations.
