How to Add Comments in Word (2026)
Comments let you leave feedback on a document without changing the text. They’re threaded, so reviewers can reply, resolve, and @mention each other. Here’s how to add and manage them.
1. Add a Comment (Windows & Mac)
- Select the text you want to comment on (or just click where it applies).
- Go to the Review tab and click New Comment.
- Type your note in the bubble and click Post (or press Ctrl+Enter).
Shortcut: Ctrl+Alt+M (Windows) or ⌘+Option+M (Mac).
2. Add a Comment in Word for the Web
- Select the text.
- Click Review > New Comment, or use the Comments button in the top-right.
- Type and post. Web comments sync live for everyone in the document.
3. Reply, Resolve, and @Mention
- Reply: click the reply box under a comment and type.
- Resolve: click the ⋯ menu on a comment and choose Resolve thread — it greys out but stays for reference. Reopen brings it back.
- @Mention: type @ and a name to notify a collaborator by email (works when the file is in OneDrive or SharePoint).
4. Move Between Comments
On the Review tab, use Previous and Next in the Comments group to step through every comment in order.
5. Delete Comments
- One: click the comment, then Review > Delete.
- All: Review > Delete dropdown > Delete All Comments in Document.
Resolving keeps a comment for the record; deleting removes it entirely.
6. Troubleshooting
New Comment is greyed out
The document is protected. Review > Restrict Editing > Stop Protection, then comment.
Comments don’t show in the margin
Set Display for Review to All Markup, or click Show Comments on the Review tab. Try Comments > List vs Contextual view.
@mentions aren’t notifying people
The file must be stored in OneDrive or SharePoint and shared with those users — @mentions don’t email from a local file.
Comments print with the document
Set Display for Review to No Markup before printing, or uncheck comments in the print markup options.
Related Word guides: How to track changes · How to accept all changes · How to compare two documents · How to insert a signature · How to add a watermark
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