Google Docs, a popular tool in Google’s suite of productivity software, offers a robust commenting system that allows for collaborative editing and feedback. This feature is particularly useful for teams working remotely, educators providing feedback to students, or anyone needing to provide or receive commentary on a document. Here’s a comprehensive guide on how to add comments in Google Docs.
Highlight Text and Insert Comment
The first step in adding a comment is to highlight the text, image, cells, or slides you want to comment on. This can be a single word, a sentence, or an entire paragraph. Once you’ve made your selection:
- Click the “Add comment” icon (+) in the toolbar. This will open a comment box on the right side of your screen.
- Type your comment in the box. This could be a question, a suggestion, or any other type of feedback.
- Click “Comment” to save your comment. It will now appear on the right side of the document, directly linked to the text you highlighted.
Reply to Comments
Engaging in a dialogue is a key part of the commenting process. To reply to a comment:
- Click the comment you want to reply to. This will open the comment box.
- Click “Reply” at the bottom of the box and type your response.
- Click “Reply” again to save your response. It will appear underneath the original comment, creating a thread of conversation.
Tag People
Tagging people in comments is a great way to ensure they see your feedback. To tag someone:
- Start typing “@” followed by the person’s name or email in the comment box. Google Docs will suggest contacts as you type.
- Select the person you want to tag. They will receive a notification alerting them to the comment.
Open Comment History
Google Docs keeps a record of all active and resolved comment threads. To access this history:
- Click the comment icon in the top right corner of the screen. This will open a panel displaying all comments.
- From here, you can search comments, re-open resolved threads, and change your notification settings.
Export Comments
If you need to share or print your document along with its comments, you can do so by exporting the file:
- Click “File” in the top menu, then select “Download.”
- Choose either “Microsoft Word” or “PDF Document.” Both of these formats will include the comments when downloaded.
Annotate with Highlights or Drawings
In addition to text comments, Google Docs allows you to annotate documents with highlights or drawings:
- To highlight text, select the text and click “Highlight” in the toolbar.
- To add drawings, shapes, or images, click “Insert” in the top menu, then select “Drawing.”
Remember, the goal of commenting is to provide clear, constructive feedback. Be respectful and considerate in your comments, and always aim for a collaborative, productive dialogue. With these tips, you’ll be able to make the most of Google Docs’ commenting feature.
