Import von PDF-Kommentaren

Report · Nov 17, 2025

Hallo

ich möchte gerne PDF-Kommentare in InDesign importieren. Ich gehe über "Fenster - Kommentare - PDF Kommentare", dann erscheint das Feld "PDF-Kommentare importieren". Wenn ich die Datei auswähle kommt die Meldung " Die PDF-Datei wurde nicht aus InDesign erstellt. Wählen Sie eine andere PDF-Datei aus, um fortzufahren." Kann mir jemand helfen wie ich vorgehen muss, um die Kommentare in InDesign zu sehen?

Danke

Report · Nov 17, 2025

Was the PDF created in InDesign? If so, what version created it? What version are you using to read it? Do you have the original document open?

Report · Nov 17, 2025

I don't know in which progamm was created as I just added comments in Acrobat. I am working with InDesign 2026

Report · Nov 17, 2025

The feature requires that the PDF had been created using InDesign and that the original InDesign file be open.

Report · Nov 17, 2025

The feature is for importing Comments made in an PDF-Document and not for Comments made in InDesign. What would it help to have the original InDesign file open if I alreadey exported it as a PDF and then made comments in Acrobat?

Report · Nov 17, 2025

The PDF had to be created from InDesign and you must have the original InDesign file open. When you use this feature, you will get the option of using the comments to change the InDesign document.

I realize your native language is not English so I'm hoping someone can come along and help you out if you still don't understand what I'm trying to say.

Report · Nov 17, 2025

I get what you are saying, but I feel like you don't understand me.

But what I get from you saying the same thing again is, that apparently it is not possible to get the comment from a normal PDF into InDesign. Which I think should be possible as both programms are from Adobe. It shouldn't be that hard...

Report · Nov 17, 2025

You don't understand how that feature works. Unfortunately, I've explained it the best I can but I'm going to try one more time with bullet points.

InDesign file is created and exported to PDF.
PDF is sent to client for comments.
Comments are added in Acrobat by client.
PDF with comments is returned by client.
Original InDesign file is opened and then, AND ONLY THEN, can you import those comments which will update the text in your InDesign file.

No updates should be made to the InDesign file while you're waiting for the PDF to be returned!

Report · Nov 17, 2025

I give up, it just doesn't make sense to write anymore.

I know how that feature works but that doesn's change the fact that I got a PDF from someone and there are comments which I would like to import to my InDesign. If it doesn't work with this feature I want to know if there is any other way to do it.

I don't know what help it is to explain something to me over and over again which I don't even want to know...

If I ask "What color is the gras?" and you answer "The sky is blue." it doesn't make your answer wrong but it's just not an answer to my question.

EVEN IF YOU WRITE IN ALL CAPS! And change the color.

Report · Nov 17, 2025

The way InDesign’s Import PDF Comments feature works is unfortunately much more strict than most people expect.

InDesign and the PDF need a parent–child relationship.
The PDF must have been exported from the exact same InDesign file that you currently have open. That’s how InDesign matches each comment to the correct text, object, or location on the page. If that relationship isn’t there, the comments simply can’t be mapped.

That means:

You can’t take a random PDF from someone else and import those comments into an unrelated InDesign file.
You can’t import comments if the InDesign file has been edited since the PDF was created.
You can’t import comments from a PDF created in Illustrator, Word, Affinity, or anything other than InDesign.

Basically: once the parent–child link is broken, InDesign has no way of knowing where each comment belongs.

Is there another way to get external PDF comments into InDesign?

Not automatically, no. There is no alternative feature that can map comments from an unrelated PDF to an InDesign layout.

But here are the realistic workarounds:

1. Export your own PDF, then copy/paste the comments

If you want some organisation, you can export a PDF from your InDesign file, then manually copy/paste the reviewer’s notes into your PDF version so at least everything is contained in a compatible file. Still manual, but cleaner.

I'm not sure if this works - just off the top of my head. You can EXPORT the comments from the supplied PDF.

Export your InDesign file as a PDF.

In the new PDF - import the PDF comments - see if that maps ----> I'm not hopeful, but don't see why it wouldn't work.

Alternatively you could copy the comments over to the new file as stated above. It should work.

2. Use Acrobat side-by-side with InDesign

This is what most people do.
You open the PDF with comments in Acrobat, dock it beside InDesign, and manually apply the requested changes.

3. Ask the reviewer to comment on a PDF exported from your InDesign file

This is the only way to use automated import.

4. Convert comments to a separate notes document

Sometimes reviewers will export comments as an summary. You can work from that list instead of directly from the PDF.

No, InDesign cannot automatically import comments from a PDF that didn’t originate from your ID file.
The feature is not a general “read any PDF comments” tool it’s a synchronisation tool for your PDF and your InDesign layout.

Report · Nov 17, 2025

My work around so far was to open the PDF with the comments and then go to "print" and "print as pdf". I thought there would be an easier option to do it.

I want the comments from the PDF visible and not apply the requested chages as you suggested. I don't want to change anything, I just want to import it because I need them as they are.

Comments can also be just a marked text, this I can not really convert into a notes document.

I guess I just keep on working with the workaround.

Report · Nov 18, 2025

I've no idea how that resolves your issue, which makes me think that part of the issue is being lost somehow.

Can you share screenshots of what you're doing? Or a video?

Report · Nov 18, 2025

So, now I think I get it. You want a feature where you can import a full PDF with the comments shown, is that correct? If it is, no such feature exists.

We have been trying to explain to you how the feature you have mentioned works and it is you have consistently given us a very poor description of what you wanted. You insisted over and over that you wanted the comments, not the entire PDF.

Report · Nov 17, 2025

Hello @christoph_1420,

As the expert suggested, the PDF Comments functionality only operates when the PDF is exported from the same InDesign document that you currently have open. InDesign requires that direct connection to accurately associate each comment with your layout. If the PDF was generated using a different program, the import will fail, and you will encounter that notification. Helpx reference: Import PDF comments

If feasible, attempt to export a new PDF from your InDesign file, add comments in Acrobat, and then try importing it again.

Please update the outcome.

Abhishek

Report · Nov 17, 2025

The thing is, that I got a PDF with comments and I would like to have those comments in InDesign. It simply doesn't help me to first get all pages of the PDF into InDesign and export it and then add the comments again. The comments are not done by me but I need them in my InDesing file.

But it looks like this simple thing is not possible.