How to Restore Comment Colors in Acrobat PDF Comments List
Question details
Users want the Acrobat comments sidebar to display the actual annotation colors instead of the default gray icons introduced in a recent update.
- Product
- Adobe Acrobat Pro DC
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Viewing and managing PDF annotations in the Acrobat sidebar after a software update.
- Observed behavior
- Comments in the sidebar list appear uniformly gray, completely removing the previous color-matching functionality.
Verify that you are using the latest version of Acrobat Pro DC and locate your annotation toolbar before attempting to change default comment colors.
Change Annotation Colors via the Acrobat Toolbar
Since Adobe removed sidebar color matching, you can still customize the color of individual annotations using the toolbar controls.
In newer versions of Acrobat Pro DC, the comments list defaults to gray icons and text. The previous color-matching display is no longer supported natively in the sidebar list.
While you cannot restore the sidebar colors natively, you can still easily customize the colors of the actual annotations on the document pages.
Hover over or select a comment tool, such as Add Sticky Note or Highlight Text, in the top annotation toolbar.
Notice that the selected tool will retain and display the currently active color for that specific annotation type.
Click the color control icon (often appearing as a red circle or a color palette) located on the left side of the annotation toolbar to choose a new color for your annotations.
Use WPS PDF for Clear and Colorful Annotations
If you are frustrated by the gray comments list in Adobe Acrobat, try WPS Office. The built-in WPS PDF tool offers intuitive, clearly color-coded annotations and a user-friendly interface to manage all your comments efficiently.
- 1. Open your PDF: Launch WPS Office and open your PDF document.
- 2. Access the Comment tab: Click on the 'Comment' tab at the top of the interface to reveal the annotation tools.
- 3. Add Colorful Annotations: Select 'Highlight', 'Note', or 'Text Box', choose your preferred color from the palette, and apply it directly to the document.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Adobe Acrobat change the comment list colors to gray?
In a recent Acrobat Pro DC update, Adobe redesigned the user interface for a more uniform look, which unfortunately replaced the helpful color-coded comment sidebar with generic gray icons and text.
Can I downgrade Acrobat to get the colorful comments list back?
While it is technically possible to uninstall your current version and install an older release of Acrobat, it is generally not recommended due to security vulnerabilities and compatibility issues found in outdated software.
How do I change the default color of a sticky note in Acrobat?
Select the sticky note tool, click the color palette icon in the annotation toolbar (or right-click an existing note and choose Properties), select your desired color, and check the box to make it the default color.
