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Install Free →Fix: Comments Not Showing in Word Document
Quick Answer
Go to Review > Show Markup and make sure 'Comments' is checked. Also change the display mode to 'All Markup' instead of 'No Markup' or 'Simple Markup.'
Why Comments Aren’t Visible
Comments in Word can be hidden by display settings without being deleted. They’re still in the document — just not shown.
Step-by-Step Fix
Step 1: Show All Markup
- Go to the Review tab
- Change the display mode to All Markup
- Comments should now appear in the margin
Step 2: Enable Comment Display
- Go to Review > Show Markup
- Check Comments
- Click Specific People and ensure All Reviewers is selected
Step 3: Check Balloon Settings
- Go to Review > Show Markup > Balloons
- Select Show Revisions in Balloons or Show Only Comments and Formatting in Balloons
Step 4: Try the Reviewing Pane
If comments still don’t appear in the margins:
- Go to Review > Reviewing Pane
- Choose Reviewing Pane Vertical (appears on the left)
- All comments and changes are listed here regardless of display settings
Step 5: Check for Comments in Specific Sections
- Press Ctrl+Home to go to the beginning of the document
- Go to Review > Next to jump to the first comment/change
- Continue clicking Next to navigate through all comments
Deleting All Comments
If you need to remove all comments (e.g., before submitting):
- Go to Review > Delete dropdown
- Click Delete All Comments in Document
Frequently Asked Questions
Where did my comments go in Word?
Comments might be hidden by the markup display settings. Go to Review tab, change the display to 'All Markup,' and check that Show Markup > Comments is enabled. Also check Show Markup > Specific People to ensure the right reviewers are selected.
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