← Back to Blog

PDF Guide

How to Annotate a PDF: Add Notes & Comments

By Ayaz · Updated July 2026 · 5 min read

You're reviewing a document and you need to leave feedback. You could email a list of comments, but that's messy. Or you could annotate the PDF directly — add sticky notes, text boxes, and comments right on the page.

Types of annotations

  • Sticky notes: Leave comments that appear as yellow notes on the page.
  • Text boxes: Add additional text anywhere on the page.
  • Highlights: Mark important text with a colored highlight.
  • Drawings: Add freehand drawings or shapes.

How to annotate a PDF

  1. Open PDFly's Annotate PDF tool.
  2. Upload your PDF.
  3. Click "Add Sticky Note" or "Add Text Box" from the toolbar.
  4. Click anywhere on the page to place your annotation.
  5. Type your comment and adjust the position if needed.
  6. Download your annotated PDF.

Best practices for annotations

  • Be specific: Place annotations near the relevant text or section.
  • Use color coding: Different colors for different types of feedback.
  • Keep it concise: Short, clear comments are more useful than long paragraphs.
  • Review before sending: Check that your annotations are clear and complete.

Need to leave feedback on a PDF?

Annotate your PDF in seconds — no uploads, no signup.

Open Annotate PDF Tool

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I remove or edit annotations after adding them?

Yes — most tools let you click on an annotation to edit or delete it before saving.

Do annotations appear in the final PDF?

Yes — annotations are embedded in the PDF and will be visible to anyone who opens it.

Can I annotate a scanned PDF?

Yes — annotations work on any PDF, including scanned documents.