Download a Google Doc with comments by exporting as a Word file or PDF

Google Docs does not have a single "download with comments" button. Instead, you choose a file format — Microsoft Word (.docx), PDF, or plain text — and comments come along automatically in some formats but not others. Word files preserve comments in a way you can open and read them later. PDFs embed comments visibly on the page. Plain text strips them out entirely.

The method you pick depends on what you plan to do with the file. If you need to keep the document editable and want to see who said what, download as .docx. If you want a fixed version where comments appear printed on the page, use PDF. If you just want the text without any comment clutter, use plain text or .odt format.

Key Takeaways

  • Word (.docx) format preserves comments in a way that lets you open them in Microsoft Word or Google Docs later and see who wrote each one.
  • PDF format embeds comments visibly on the page so they print and display as part of the document itself.
  • Plain text and OpenDocument (.odt) formats strip out all comments — use these only if you want the text alone.
  • Comments from collaborators stay in the file only if you download before leaving the document or sharing it with edit access removed.

Download as Word format to keep comments editable

Open the Google Doc you want to download. Click File in the top left, then hover over Download. A submenu appears with format options. Select Microsoft Word (.docx).

The file downloads to your computer's default download folder. When you open it in Microsoft Word, Google Docs, or compatible software, all comments appear in the right margin or in a comments pane. You can read them, reply to them, or delete them from within Word. This format is best if you plan to continue working on the document or need to preserve the comment history for reference.

One limitation: if the document uses advanced Google Docs features like suggestions mode or resolved comments, Word may not display them exactly as they appeared in Google Docs. Unresolved comments transfer cleanly; resolved ones may not show up at all.

Download as PDF to see comments printed on the page

Open the Google Doc and click File, then Download, then PDF Document (.pdf). The PDF downloads immediately.

When you open the PDF, comments appear as small icons or text boxes anchored to the location where they were made in the document. The exact appearance depends on your PDF reader — some show them as yellow sticky notes, others as highlighted text with a comment bubble. PDFs are useful if you want to share a version where comments are visible but the document itself cannot be edited, or if you need to print the document with comments showing.

PDFs do not let you reply to or edit comments the way Word does. They are a snapshot of the document at the moment you downloaded it.

Download as OpenDocument or plain text if you want comments removed

Click File, then Download, then choose OpenDocument Presentation (.odt) or Plain Text (.txt). Both formats strip out all comments and keep only the document text itself.

Use these formats when you need to share the final text without any editorial notes, or when you are sending the document to someone who does not need to see the feedback. Plain text removes all formatting as well — bold, italics, headings, and links all become regular text. OpenDocument preserves formatting but still removes comments.

Make sure you have the latest version before downloading

Comments only appear in your downloaded file if they were added before you started the download. If a collaborator adds a comment after you have already downloaded the file, that comment will not be in your copy.

If you are working with others, ask them to finish adding comments before you download. Alternatively, download multiple times — once to see the comments, make changes, and download again to capture any new feedback. There is no risk to downloading the same document several times; each download is independent.

What to do if comments are not showing in your downloaded file

If you downloaded as Word format but comments do not appear when you open the file, the document may have been shared with you as view-only. View-only access means you can see comments in Google Docs but cannot download them. Ask the document owner to give you edit access, or ask them to download and share the file with you instead.

Another reason comments might be missing: the person who made them may have deleted them before you downloaded. Comments deleted in Google Docs do not appear in any downloaded version. If you need to preserve feedback, ask collaborators not to delete comments until after you have downloaded the final version.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I download only the comments without the document text?

No. Google Docs does not have an option to export comments separately. You must download the entire document in a format that includes comments (Word or PDF), then manually copy the comments if you need them alone. Some people open the Word file and copy comments into a separate document by hand.

Do resolved comments show up in downloaded files?

In Word format, resolved comments usually do not appear. In PDF format, they may or may not show depending on your PDF reader. If you need to preserve resolved comments, take screenshots or copy them into a separate document before downloading.

What if I download as PDF but comments still do not show?

Some PDF readers do not display embedded comments by default. Try opening the PDF in a different reader — Adobe Acrobat Reader, Preview (on Mac), or your web browser. If comments still do not appear, the document may not have had any comments when you downloaded it.

Can I download a Google Doc with comments if I only have view access?

No. View-only access lets you see comments in Google Docs but prevents you from downloading the file at all. You must ask the owner to give you edit or comment access, or ask them to download and send you the file.

Do comments from different people stay labeled with their names?

Yes. In Word format, each comment shows the name of the person who wrote it. In PDF format, comments are usually labeled by name as well, though the exact display depends on your PDF reader.