Adding comments in Google Docs takes three steps: highlight the text, click the comment button, and type your note

Comments in Google Docs work differently than in Word. Instead of appearing in a sidebar margin, they show up in a panel on the right side of your document. You can leave comments on specific words, sentences, or passages, and other people with access to the document can see them, reply to them, and mark them resolved.

The basic process is straightforward. Select the text you want to comment on, click the comment icon in the toolbar, type your message, and click "Comment". The comment attaches to that exact spot in the document, and anyone viewing the file will see a small highlight showing where the comment is anchored.

Key Takeaways

  • Highlight any text in your document, then click the comment button (the speech bubble icon) in the toolbar to start a new comment.
  • Comments appear in a panel on the right side of the document, not in the margins like Word, and show the commenter's name and timestamp.
  • Other people can reply directly to your comment, and you can mark comments as resolved to clean up the document without deleting them.
  • You can mention someone in a comment by typing @ followed by their name or email, and they will receive a notification.
  • Comments are visible to anyone with access to the document unless you change sharing settings, so avoid putting sensitive information in comments.

Selecting text and opening the comment box

Start by clicking and dragging to highlight the text you want to comment on. You can select a single word, a phrase, a sentence, or multiple paragraphs. Once the text is highlighted in blue, look at the toolbar at the top of the document.

In the toolbar, find the comment button — it looks like a speech bubble with lines inside it. It sits near the right side of the toolbar, usually after the "Suggesting" button if you have that turned on. Click it, and a comment box will appear on the right side of your screen with a text field ready for your message.

Typing and posting your comment

Type your comment in the text field. You can write as much or as little as you need. If you want to mention someone so they get notified, type @ followed by their name or email address — Google Docs will show you a list of people to choose from.

When you are done typing, click the blue "Comment" button at the bottom of the comment box. Your comment will post immediately and appear in the right panel. The text you commented on will show a small highlight or marker so anyone reading the document knows a comment is attached to that spot.

Replying to and resolving comments

If someone else has left a comment on your document, you can reply to it directly. Hover over the comment in the right panel and click the reply icon (it looks like a speech bubble with an arrow). Type your response and click "Reply".

Once a comment has been addressed or is no longer needed, you can mark it as resolved. Click the three dots at the top right of the comment and select "Resolve". The comment will collapse in the panel but will not be deleted — you can still see it if you click "Show resolved" at the top of the comments panel. This keeps your document clean while preserving the conversation history.

Differences from Word's comment system

In Word, comments typically appear in a margin on the right side of the page, and the commented text is highlighted in the document itself. Google Docs uses a separate panel instead, which means your document text stays centered and easier to read. The comments panel can be closed or opened by clicking the comment icon in the toolbar.

Google Docs also makes it easier for multiple people to comment and reply in real time. If you and a colleague are both viewing the same document, you will see each other's comments appear instantly, and you can have a conversation without leaving the document. Word's online version has similar features, but Google Docs' comment flow tends to feel more natural for back-and-forth feedback.

Controlling who sees your comments

Comments are visible to anyone with access to your document, based on your sharing settings. If you share the document with specific people, only those people can see the comments. If you make the document public, anyone with the link can see the comments too.

If you need to keep a comment private, do not use the comment feature — instead, you can use the "Suggesting" mode to propose changes, which is a different tool designed for tracked edits. Comments are meant for discussion, so assume anyone who can view the document can read them.

Keyboard shortcut and quick access

If you use Google Docs frequently, you can speed up the commenting process with a keyboard shortcut. On Windows, press Ctrl+Alt+M to open a comment box for the selected text. On Mac, press Cmd+Option+M. This works only if you have text selected first.

You can also access comments through the menu. Click "Insert" at the top, then "Comment". This opens the same comment box and works if you forget the keyboard shortcut or prefer using the menu.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I comment on a Google Doc if I only have view access?

No. You need at least "Commenter" or "Editor" access to leave comments. If you only have "Viewer" access, you can see comments but cannot add new ones. The document owner can change your access level in the sharing settings.

What happens to comments if I delete the text they are attached to?

The comment will remain in the comments panel, but it will no longer be anchored to specific text in the document. It will show as an orphaned comment, and you can still read and reply to it, but the connection to the original text is lost.

Can I edit a comment after I post it?

Yes. Click the three dots at the top right of your comment and select "Edit". Make your changes and click "Update". You cannot edit someone else's comments, but you can reply to them or mark them resolved.

Do comments show up when I download or print the document?

No. When you download a Google Doc as a Word file or PDF, comments do not appear in the downloaded file. They stay in the online version only. If you need to preserve comments, take a screenshot or export the document with comments visible.

Can I search for comments in a Google Doc?

Google Docs does not have a built-in search function for comments. You can scroll through the comments panel on the right to find them, or use your browser's find function (Ctrl+F or Cmd+F) to search the document text, but this will not search comment content.