Fix: Word Comments Not Visible or Displaying

The Problem

Collaborators have left comments on your Word document, but you can’t see them. The document shows comment indicators (small balloons or marks in the margin), but the comment text isn’t visible. You need to display comments to read feedback.

Quick Fix

Enable comment display:

1. Go to Review tab
2. Click “Show Comments” button
3. If that doesn’t work, click “Show Markup” dropdown
4. Ensure “Comments” is checked
5. If still no luck, click “Review Pane” to see comments in sidebar

Step-by-Step Solution

Method 1: Use Show Comments Button

The quickest way to display comments.

Step 1: Go to the Review tab in the ribbon.

Step 2: Look for a “Show Comments” button or toggle.

Step 3: In newer Word versions, this button shows a speech bubble icon.

Step 4: Click it to enable comment display.

Step 5: Comments should now appear in the document margin or as balloons.

Step 6: If clicking it doesn’t work, try Method 2.

Method 2: Enable Comments via Show Markup

Comments visibility is controlled through the Show Markup menu.

Step 1: Go to the Review tab.

Step 2: Look for “Show Markup” button with a dropdown arrow.

Step 3: Click the dropdown arrow (not the button itself).

Step 4: A menu appears showing markup types.

Step 5: Look for “Comments” in the menu.

Step 6: If “Comments” is unchecked, click it to enable comment display.

Step 7: All comments now display in your document.

Step 8: You should see comment bubbles or indicators.

Method 3: Open the Review Pane

The Review Pane displays all comments in a sidebar for detailed viewing.

Step 1: Go to Review tab.

Step 2: Look for “Review Pane” button.

Step 3: Click it.

Step 4: A sidebar appears on the left showing all comments in the document.

Step 5: Each comment shows:

• Reviewer name
• Comment date and time
• Comment text
• The text in the document that the comment refers to

Step 6: Click any comment in the pane to jump to that location in the document.

Step 7: This pane stays open while you work, allowing easy reference to all feedback.

Step 8: To close the pane, click the Review Pane button again.

Method 4: Check Which Reviewers Are Visible

Comments from specific reviewers might be hidden.

Step 1: Go to Review > Show Markup.

Step 2: Click “Reviewers” from the dropdown menu.

Step 3: You see a list of everyone who commented on the document.

Step 4: Each reviewer name should have a checkmark.

Step 5: If a reviewer is unchecked, their comments won’t display.

Step 6: Click any unchecked reviewer to enable their comments.

Step 7: Their comments now appear in the document.

Step 8: This is useful when reviewing feedback from specific people while hiding others temporarily.

Method 5: Check Display Mode

Word has different display modes that affect comment visibility.

Step 1: Go to Review tab.

Step 2: Look for “Display for Review” or similar option with a dropdown.

Step 3: Check what mode you’re currently in. Options typically include:

• Final: Shows final version without comments
• Original: Shows original version before comments
• All Markup: Shows all comments and changes
• No Markup: Shows final version without visual indicators

Step 4: Select “All Markup” to see all comments displayed.

Step 5: If you were in “Final” or “No Markup” mode, comments were hidden from view.

Method 6: Ensure Comments Are Actually in the Document

Sometimes it appears comments are missing when they’re really not there.

Step 1: Open the Review Pane (Review > Review Pane).

Step 2: If the Review Pane shows no comments, none exist in the document.

Step 3: If comments appear in the Review Pane but not in the document itself, use Methods 1-3 to display them.

Step 4: If nothing appears in the Review Pane and you expect comments, verify you have the correct document version.

Step 5: Check if you have an older version of the document without comments.

Step 6: Ask your collaborator to send the document again with comments.

Method 7: Check Print Layout View

Comments only display in certain document views.

Step 1: Go to View tab.

Step 2: Ensure “Print Layout” view is selected (not Draft, Outline, or Reading Mode).

Step 3: Comments display only in Print Layout, Web Layout, and Editing views.

Step 4: If you’re in Draft view, comments won’t show. Switch to Print Layout.

Why This Happens

Show Comments disabled: Comments can be hidden with one click; users often don’t realize this.

Show Markup has Comments unchecked: Individual markup types can be toggled on/off independently.

Display mode set to Final: This display mode hides all comments and track changes.

Specific reviewers hidden: One or more reviewers might be unchecked in the Reviewers list.

Wrong view: Document is in Draft view where comments don’t display.

Comments are marginalia: In older Word, comments appear as footnotes or endnotes; check those sections.

How to Prevent It

Establish viewing protocol: Before collaboration, agree on whether comments should be visible during work.

Default to All Markup view: Save documents in All Markup view so comments are visible by default.

Regularly check for comments: Don’t assume you’ve seen all feedback; open Review Pane periodically.

Use clear comment names: Ensure reviewers have identifiable names in their Office settings so you know who commented.

Still Not Working?

Check file format: If the file is .doc (older format) instead of .docx, comment display can be problematic. Save as .docx.

Repair document: Save the file, close it, then use File > Open > Open and Repair to fix potential corruption.

Copy to new document: Create a new blank document, copy text from the original (Paste Special > Keep Text Only), then ask collaborators to comment on the new version.

Check comment properties: Right-click on a comment if you see one, and select “Edit Comment” to verify it’s properly formatted.

Enable Protected View: Sometimes Protected View hides comments. Go to File > Options > Trust Center > Trust Center Settings > Protected View and adjust settings.