PDF Editing Issues

How to Keep the Comment Tool Selected in Acrobat for Repeated Annotations

Tauseeq Magsi Oct 19, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user wants to know how to keep the comment tool continuously active for multiple annotations without having to reselect it after every single use.

How to Keep the Comment Tool Selected in Acrobat

Product: Adobe Acrobat
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Adding multiple comments or markups to a PDF document in a single session.
Observed behavior: The comment tool automatically deselects after one use in the Reader mobile application, forcing the user to repeatedly tap the tool to add more comments.

Before you start

Verify whether you are using Adobe Acrobat on a desktop or a mobile device, as the ability to pin active tools is currently restricted to the desktop application.

Solution 1Recommended

Use the Pin Option in Acrobat Desktop

Use the built-in 'Pin' feature in the Adobe Acrobat DC desktop application to lock the comment tool for continuous use.

While the mobile version of Acrobat Reader automatically deselects tools to prevent accidental taps, the desktop version provides a 'Pin' option specifically designed for repetitive annotations.

Open the Comment Tools

Launch Adobe Acrobat DC on your computer, open your PDF document, and click on the 'Comment' option from the right-hand Tools pane.

Select Your Annotation Tool

Click on the specific tool you want to use repeatedly, such as the Highlighter, Sticky Note, or Text Box, located in the top comment toolbar.

Pin the Tool

Click the 'Pin' icon (which looks like a drawing pin) located on the right side of the comment toolbar. This will keep your selected tool active until you manually switch tools or unpin it.

Mobile App Limitation: In the Acrobat Reader mobile application, it is not possible to keep the comment box or tool permanently selected. You must manually reselect the tool for each new annotation.

Easily Annotate PDFs Continuously with WPS Office

If you need a seamless way to add multiple comments and annotations without frustrating limitations, WPS Office provides a robust and user-friendly PDF editor designed for efficient, continuous markup.

1. Open PDF in WPS Office: Launch WPS Office and open your PDF document.
2. Access the Comment Tab: Navigate to the 'Comment' tab on the top ribbon to view all available markup tools.
3. Continuously Annotate: Select your desired tool, like the Highlighter or Sticky Note. In WPS PDF, you can immediately begin applying multiple annotations across the document with ease.

Intuitive PDF editing tools for continuous highlighting and commentingFully compatible with standard Adobe PDF formats across all devicesLightweight software that runs smoothly on older hardwareCross-platform support for Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does the comment tool deselect after one use in the Acrobat Reader mobile app?

The Acrobat Reader mobile app is designed to return to standard viewing mode immediately after placing a comment. This touch-optimized behavior prevents users from accidentally adding unwanted annotations while scrolling through the document.

How do I unpin a tool in Acrobat desktop once I am finished?

To stop using a tool continuously, simply click the 'Pin' icon again in the comment toolbar to toggle it off, or press the 'Esc' key on your keyboard to return to the default selection cursor.

Can I keep the drawing tool selected in the same way?

Yes. In the Acrobat desktop application, the pin feature applies to most markup tools. You can select the freehand drawing tool (pencil) and click the Pin icon to continuously draw without interruption.

PDF Troubleshooting