New Acrobat DC user. How do I change the identity shown in comment boxes when editing.

[Guest]

Just got Acrobat Pro DC after years of using Acrobat 9.
How do I change my identity (as it appears in commenting boxes), from Owner to Editor?

[robertwolfe · Accepted solution]

That's not enough. There are two steps:

1. Go to Edit > Preferences > Commenting

Under "Making Comments" you must uncheck the box that says "Always use Log-in name for Author name."

2. Now enter a Comment on any pdf file (it will still have the unwanted identity), then Right-click on the title bar of the comment where the identity is. Then, from the right-click menu, choose Properties > General > Author.

Change the "Author" to the identity/label you want, then check the box: "Make Properties Default."

The identity will now permanently change to the desired identity.

[Bernd Alheit]

In the preferences of Acrobat.

[robertwolfe · Accepted solution]

That's not enough. There are two steps:

1. Go to Edit > Preferences > Commenting

Under "Making Comments" you must uncheck the box that says "Always use Log-in name for Author name."

2. Now enter a Comment on any pdf file (it will still have the unwanted identity), then Right-click on the title bar of the comment where the identity is. Then, from the right-click menu, choose Properties > General > Author.

Change the "Author" to the identity/label you want, then check the box: "Make Properties Default."

The identity will now permanently change to the desired identity.

[TheLeopard]

Removed by author.

[lauraknystrom]

OMIGOD thank you so much. "That's not enough" is such an understatement for this issue! Thanks for taking the time and sharing the full steps ✨✨✨🏆🏆🏆

[jia5FB1]

I have to right click and change the author name repeatedly to my own name. first it was showing AMOL and now (after i did the changes u told) it's showing ACER and not my name. I did press "Make Properties Default." but it still shows ACER. and i have to make the changes every single time i post a comment.

[SC22529300pf8d]

Great help, indeed. 

[ABHA24793128yvpx]

Many thanks!

[Hey Stefan G.]

I'm so glad these instructions still work exactly as described—in 2025! They need to go on the dialog box itself, since what's there now is laughably unhelpful. There's plenty of room.

[JimJim C · Accepted solution]

This solution only handles a particular type of comments (highlight, underline, Sticky Note, etc.) ONE BY ONE AT A TIME..  You have to set up many times for each type of comments.  Use the GENERAL SOLUTION by entering your preferred name in "Edit -> preferences -> identity -> Name field" instead.  The steps are outlined in another solution later in this page.  In addition to guideline to setting for FUTURE comments, that solution even includes guideline to amending EXISTING comments to use your preferred name. 

[boredatwork88]

Great! This was driving me crazy. Thanks!

[jia5FB1]

I followed each and every step you told but i have to repeatedly change the author's name to my name every time i post a comment. first it used to be AMOL and now (after you told the changes) it shows ACER instead of my name. and i did right clicked on a comment and change the author's name to my name and clicked "Make Properties Default." but it still shows ACER and not my name.

[defaulti3fgcdbxj3k9]

To change the identity/author for all NEW comments (ones that you haven't made yet): 

1. Edit -> preferences -> commenting, and deselect "always use Login as author name"

2. Edit -> preferences -> identity, and add some other author name.  Don't leave it blank, or it will revert to your Login.  I use a colon or > .

Having acrobat set up with an author name like "::" is handy for me, because sometimes I want my name, and other times I need to be anonymous.  I can switch from my Login name to :: just by selecting or deselcting the box in step 1.

To change the identity on all the comments you ALREADY MADE:

You need to select all the existing comments in the comment pane.  (ctrl+A doesn't do this, likeit did in old versions of acrobat).

1. Click on the first comment in the pane so it's selected. 

2. Scroll down to the end of the comment list, hold shift, and click on the last one.  They should all be selected. 

3. Then right-click on the top bar of any comment next to your name (or use the menu button to the right of your name),

4. Properties -> general tab --> Author: (and enter what you want). 

If you want that new name to show up with each new comment you make, follow the first set of instructions.  Selecting "make properties my default" doesn't seem to work consistently, as people are mentioning here.

[Chadi G]

I tried all these steps and it still doesn't work. And for some reason, when I go to Edit/Preferences/Identity, the first box reads "User" and cannot be changed (box is grey and uneditable).

[defaultyw5g0792ldih]

You don't need to change what's in the first grayed box. 

You need to change what's in the 2nd box, "Name".  It's probably blank. You should add a symbol or a non-identifying word like "reviewer" in the "Name" box. 

You also need to DE-selelct the box at: Edit -> preferences -> commenting, "always use Login as author name"

Then it will NOT use your fixed, grayed out Login Name for comments, and will instead use whatever symbol or word you entered for "Name"

[graceful_sunflower5195]

Nope, none of that works. In the Identity pane, I can't change the Login Name. Under it is my name, but that's not what comes up in my comments. Underneath it says:

To change settings for Adobe online services, go to the Online Services preferences and click 

Manage Account.

There's no link, and I can't find this "Online Services."

The comment name is from an old computer, and since I'm using Acrobat professionally, I'd like to have my name in the comments. 

Help. 

[graceful_sunflower5195]

I found the answer on another thread. The Mac picks up your computer's user name. If you deselect "Always use login..." it totally works. 

[JimJim C]

This is the correct answer!  Once the steps of first part are followed, it automatcally caters for comments of ALL types (highlight, underline, Sticky Note, etc.) for FUTURE comments.  The author also includes a part on modifying EXISITING comments:  very comprehensive solution!   Well done!