This tutorial shows how to use comments in Google Docs. Comments are important because they are the main tool for interacting within a shared document.
Specifically, we will look at four key tasks:
This tutorial is also available as a YouTube video showing all the steps in real time.
Watch more than fifty other videos about Microsoft Word and Adobe Acrobat on my YouTube channel.
Google can decide to change the appearance of Google Docs at any time, so your interface may look slightly different than the images shown here.
How to Insert Comments in Google Docs
There are six ways to insert a comment in Google Docs: (1) from within the text, (2) from the right margin, (3) from the toolbar, (4) from the Insert tab, (5) from the Comment History, and (6) with a keyboard shortcut.
Important Note: If you use one of the methods that don’t require you to select text or an image, the comment will be attached to the word closest to your cursor.
Comment from within the Text
- Select and then right-click text or an image, and then select Comment from the shortcut menu.
- Enter your comment into the text box, and then select the Comment button.
Comment from the Right Margin Button
- Select text or an image.
- Select the Comment button in the right margin. (This button won’t appear until text or an image is selected.)
- Enter your comment into the text box, and then select the Comment button (see figure 2).
Comment from the Toolbar
- Select the Comment button in the toolbar.
- Enter your comment into the text box, and then select the Comment button (see figure 2).
Comment from the Insert Tab
- Select the Insert tab in the toolbar.
- Select Comment from the drop-down menu.
- Enter your comment into the text box, and then select the Comment button (see figure 2).
Comment from the Comment History
- Select text or an image.
- Select the Comment History button in the toolbar.
- Select the Comment button above the Comment History.
- Enter your comment into the text box, and then select the Comment button (see figure 2).
Comment with the Keyboard Shortcut
- Press Ctrl + Alt + M on your keyboard.
- Enter your comment into the text box, and then select the Comment button (see figure 2).
How to Reply to Comments in Google Docs
You can reply to comments from the comment bubble or the Comment History.
Reply from the Comment Bubble
- Select the comment bubble in the right margin. (The selected bubble will move slightly to the left.)
- Enter your reply into the text box, and then select the Reply button.
Reply from the Comment History
- Select the Comment History button in the toolbar (see figure 7).
- Select Reply in the comment.
- Enter your reply in the text box, and then select the Reply button.
How to Resolve Comments in Google Docs
When you resolve a comment, you are telling the other reviewers (or reminding yourself) that the issue is closed. You can resolve comments from the comment bubble or the Comment History.
Important Note: Resolved comments will still appear in the Comment History. They won’t be removed from the document until they are deleted, as shown below.
Resolve from the Comment Bubble
- Select the check mark in the comment bubble.
The comment will no longer appear in the right margin.
Resolve from the Comment History
- Select the Comment History button in the toolbar (see figure 7).
- Select Resolve in the comment.
The resolved comment will remain visible but will have a darkened background.
Pro Tip: Select Re-open to return the comment to the unresolved status.
How to Delete Comments in Google Docs
You can delete comments from the comment bubble or the Comment History.
Delete from the Comment Bubble
- Select the More options (three-dot) menu in the comment bubble.
- Select Delete from the drop-down menu.
- Select the Delete button in the “Delete this comment thread?” dialog box.
Delete from the Comment History
- Select the Comment History button (see figure 7).
- Select the menu arrow to the right of the timestamp.
- Select Delete from the drop-down menu.
- Select the Delete button in the “Delete this comment thread?” dialog box (see figure 17).
This is the first in a series about Google Docs. Please leave me a comment if there is a specific topic about Google Docs you would like me to cover in the future.
Related Resources
How to Use Track Changes in Microsoft Word
How to Use Adobe Acrobat DC’s Comment and Mark-Up Tools