How to Change the Font and Font Size of Comments in Microsoft Word

By default, Track Changes inherit preset styles from the body content. However, you can change these styles to make your edits more noticeable or easier to read. For example, you can change the font and font size of comments in Microsoft Word, as shown in this tutorial.

This tutorial can also be used to change other styles in Word comments such as color, spacing, and indents.

As a bonus, the Pro Tip section at the end explains how to change the font style of the built-in comment balloon text, such as the reviewers’ names and the Reply and Resolve button labels.

Important Note: These steps do not work with Word’s Modern comments. There is currently no way to change the font or font size for Modern comments. However, you can change the font color.

The images shown below are from Word for Microsoft 365. These steps also apply to Word 2021, Word 2019, Word 2013, and Word 2010.

How to Change the Font and Font Size of Comments

The following steps change the appearance of comments in balloons and in the Reviewing Pane.

1. Select the Home tab.

2. Select the dialog box launcher in the Styles group.

3. Select the Manage Styles button in the Styles pane. (Note that your Styles pane may look longer or shorter than it appears in this image.)

4. Select Alphabetical in the Sort order drop-down menu in the Edit tab of the Manage Styles dialog box.

5. Select Comment Text in the Select a style to edit menu.

Important Update: As of February 2020, Word for Microsoft 365 users have to select Balloon Text rather than Comment Text to change the font size of text in balloons.

6. Select the Modify button.

7. Choose the new font and/or font size from the Modify Style dialog box.

8. [Optional Step] Select other styles such as font color, horizontal and vertical alignment, paragraph spacing, and indents.

9. Select the OK button in the Modify Styles dialog box.

10. Select the OK button in the Manage Styles dialog box.

11. Save your file in order to save your new styles.

Pro Tip: How to Change the Font and Font Size of Balloon Labels

The following steps change the built-in text in balloons such as the Reviewers’ names and the Reply and Resolve button labels. These steps will also change the text for formatting changes displayed in balloons.

1. Follow step 1 through step 4 in the section above.

2. Select Balloon Text in the Select a style to edit menu.