The comment feature is useful for leaving feedback, suggesting edits, adding notes, giving opinions, or ask questions. It opens up a channel within the document for two-way communication between teams and colleagues. Let’s understand how it works and what you can do with Google Docs’ comments feature.

1. Add and Manage Comments in Google Docs Web App

You need to have editing rights to the Google Docs document before you can leave comments. You should learn more about Google Drive sharing permissions to understand how it works. All is good if you are the creator of the file. Simply select the text or image next to which you want to add a comment. A new + icon will appear on the right that says, Add a comment. Click on it. You can now comment in the newly available text box below where you can also @mention someone. Whoever you mention will be notified of the comment automatically via email. A cool way to delegate part of the job to someone specific. The selected text is now highlighted in universal yellow marker color with the comment floating on the right. You can read the comment, name of the commenter, date, and time the comment was left. The keyboard shortcut for Windows is Ctrl+Alt+M and Command+Option+M for macOS after selecting the text/image. Clicking on the profile picture will reveal the comment poster’s profile details like his full name, number, email ID, and a short bio. You will also view options to send an email or start a video call. This will depend on what details the person has on his Google profile. Noticed the blue tick next to the comment. Clicking on it means the issue is resolved, and the comment is no longer required and will be removed. Click on the body of the comment to post a reply. Each comment has a three-dot menu icon and clicking on it will reveal three options. You can edit the comment (your comments only), delete it, or link to it. What happens if the person you have mentioned does not have sharing permissions to edit the document? You will be notified of the same and presented with an option to share the Docs file with them.

2. Add and Manage Comments in Google Docs Mobile App

The steps for adding and managing comments in Google Docs’s mobile app are the same for Android and iOS smartphones. I am using Android for this guide, but you can go with either. Click on the comment icon at the top of the screen to read all comments in the Docs app on a single screen. Select the text that you want to add to the comment and tap the three-dot menu icon in the pop-up if you don’t view the Comment option. Usually, you will notice cut, copy, and paste options first. You can easily add a comment in the box that will pop open right above your keyboard. Tap the @ button on the left to mention someone in the comment. Just like you did in the web app. Typing @ manually also works. Select a comment from the comment section to either reply to a comment or mark it as resolved. Tap the three-dot menu icon next to Resolve option to reveal a hidden menu where you can edit, delete, or get a shareable link to the comment. There is no need to open the comment section every time though. You can simply tap on the highlighted text to reveal a menu where you would notice the View comment option. Tap on it to read the associated comment. Once again, you will be greeted with the bottom bar menu where you can reply, resolve, or interact with the comment in other ways. Tap the arrow buttons to scroll through the comments quickly. You can get an idea about the total number of comments in the document and your position, thanks to the smart numbering system between the arrow buttons.

Dock It, Forget It

Google Docs continues to evolve but still lacks several advanced features that you will find in Microsoft Word. The reason is simple. It was designed to be a light-weight word processor that was easy, simple, and clutterfree. Most users don’t even use half the features that Word offers. But those who do can’t live without it. There is place for both of them on the web. Google got away with just the bare essentials in Google Docs and the comments feature is one of them. Next up: Should you switch from Google Docs to Zoho Writer? Is Zoho Docs better then Google Docs? Find out all the answers in this post. The above article may contain affiliate links which help support Guiding Tech. However, it does not affect our editorial integrity. The content remains unbiased and authentic.

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