Skip to main content
skiteam14
skiteam14
Participant
Jan 24, 2019 10:33 PM UTC
Answered

Acrobat Reader DC – List of Highlighted Text in Comments Sidebar?

In Acrobat Reader, when highlighting text in a PDF, is it possible to show the actual highlighted text as a list in the 'Comments' sidebar?

Currently, the 'Comments' side bar shows a list, but instead of the actual highlighted text, it just shows the words "Highlighted Text" for every Comment that is created per highlighted text (and the corresponding link to the actual text within the file).

Basically, I'm just wondering whether it's possible to see a list of the actual text that was highlighted instead of just a list of links that brings you to the highlighted text within the PDF.

    stephan_7268Correct answer
    Participant
    Oct 31, 2025 9:13 PM UTC

    Yes, you can do this.

     

    Click on Preferences -> Commenting -> then check the box that says "Copy selected text into Highlight, Strikethrough, Underline and Replace Text comment pop-ups"

     

    Simple as that. 

    View reply

    7 replies

    stephan_7268Correct answer
    Participant
    Oct 31, 2025 9:13 PM UTC

    Yes, you can do this.

     

    Click on Preferences -> Commenting -> then check the box that says "Copy selected text into Highlight, Strikethrough, Underline and Replace Text comment pop-ups"

     

    Simple as that. 

    Translate
    try67
    Community Expert
    try67Community Expert
    Community Expert
    Nov 3, 2025 11:34 PM UTC

    This is only available in Acrobat, AFAIK, not in the free Reader.

    You can do it using this (paid-for) tool I've created, though: https://www.try67.com/tool/acrobat-retroactively-copy-highlighted-text-into-comments

     

    Translate
    hobbesVT
    Participant
    Jul 19, 2022 3:50 AM UTC

    Though this would be a highly needed feature for providing a summary of relevant passages ... is there any other what this could be achieved? The many "Highlighted Text" labels are not helpful as I have to jump through them to find the passage I'm looking for ...

    Translate
    hobbesVT
    Participant
    Jul 19, 2022 3:56 AM UTC

    Just found this in another post: "This can be done automatically using one of the preferences of Acrobat/Reader (Edit - Prefs. - Commenting - Copy selected text into Highlight...) - while it doesn't replace the "Highlighted Text" label with the actual text, at least you can quickly see what you marked and can then add the comment as a "reply". Not easily readable in the commenting pane, but at least it's there ... hope that helps someone else looking for a solution.

    Translate
      AkanchhaS8194121
      AkanchhaS8194121
      Legend
      Feb 6, 2019 7:15 AM UTC

      Hi Skiteam, 

      We are sorry for the delay in response to your query. As asked-

      In Acrobat Reader, when highlighting text in a PDF, is it possible to show the actual highlighted text as a list in the 'Comments' sidebar?

      Currently, the 'Comments' side bar shows a list, but instead of the actual highlighted text, it just shows the words "Highlighted Text" for every Comment that is created per highlighted text (and the corresponding link to the actual text within the file).

      No, this isn't possible to show the actual highlighted text in the Comment list. This is a design behavior of the application where it displays only notes added to the particular highlighted text and corresponded link to the actual highlighted text in the file.

      We would love to hear your feedback on this, You can share your input by filling this feature request form here: Feature Request/Bug Report Form

      Hope this answers your query.

      Regards,

      Akanchha

      Translate
        帅帅0101
        Participant
        Oct 11, 2020 1:54 AM UTC

        But why PDF Expert can??

        Translate
          Mikeala
          Participating Frequently
          Oct 11, 2020 2:02 AM UTC
          --
          null
          Translate
          Terms & ConditionsAccessibility statement
          Using the community Terms of use Privacy Cookie preferences Do not sell or share my personal information ad choicesAdChoices