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Know How to Allow Commenting on PDF When Not Allowed

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Published By Mohit Jha
Tej Pratap Shukla
Approved By Tej Pratap Shukla
Published On September 24th, 2024
Reading Time 7 Minutes Reading

If a user wants to allow commenting on PDF files when not allowed. Then it is mandatory to have the proper permission or to be the owner or creator of that file. Otherwise, a user needs to have access to the Adobe Acrobat application, which is used to create it originally.

If not, then one needs to look for some professional solution to enable commenting in PDF. For the same, you don’t want to go anywhere as this blog brings all that, which means you have all the solutions in one place. 

Explaining: Enable Commenting in PDF

PDF is the most popular used document format across the world. A variant type of security feature can be applied by the users to keep their PDF documents safe from unauthorized access.

Before we begin with the solution to allow commenting on PDF, we need to know about the two types of security available that can be applied. One is open password security which is applied to prevent the opening of a document. 

Another is applied to restrict any operation on PDF files like print, copy, comment, edit, etc. It all depends on a user’s choice and what type of security they want to use. However, passwords for both types of restrictions are different. So, when a user wants to enable commenting in PDF when not allowed, a permission password or owner-level password is required. 

If a user does not know the permission password, then even the Adobe Acrobat program cannot unlock it. However, there are still some ways available that one can use and enable comments on PDF files. But do you know what are they?

How to Allow Commenting on PDF? – Let’s Solve

When a user is unable to comment on PDF files or thinks “Why can’t I add comments to a PDF”, it is clear there is a comment restriction applied to it. Now, to remove restrictions or enable commenting, the two most efficient solutions can help. Plus, the below sections, describe the same clearly with their step-wise instructions.

Note: It might be possible that PDF is both open & owner-level password-protected. So, below mentioned method below is applicable in all cases.

#Approach 1. Enable Commenting in PDF Using Adobe Acrobat Pro DC 

  • To allow commenting on PDF files, you need to open Adobe Acrobat Pro DC.
  • After that, click on the File option from the menu bar. Click on the Open button and the Open dialogue box will appear.
  • Then, locate the comment-restricted PDF file and choose it. Click on the Open button. If your PDF is open password protected, it will prompt you for Document Open Password.
  • Now, type your password and click on the OK button to open the PDF file.
  • Next, you have to click on the File tab from the menu bar. Then, choose the Properties option to open the Document Properties dialogue box.
allow commenting on PDF
  • Here, you can see the current security restrictions applied to the PDF document simply by clicking on the Security tab.

  • In the Document Restrictions Summary, all Allowed and Not Allowed restrictions are listed.
allow commenting on PDF
  • After that, click on the Security Method from the drop-down menu and select the No Security option. At this point, Adobe Acrobat will prompt you for the Permission Password.
  • Simply, type the password in the Enter Password field and click on the OK button.
  • Here, it again displays a dialogue box and asks for confirmation that you are sure you want to remove security from the document.
  • Click on the OK button. You will be moved again to the Document Properties.
  • Click on the OK button and all restrictions, including commenting restrictions, are now removed successfully.

After this, the query “Why can’t I add comments to a PDF” will be solved. A user can easily open a PDF file in the Adobe application and start commenting or highlighting text for notes. But, Adobe Acrobat is a paid application. Moreover, if a user does not know the permission password, he or she will be unable to perform it completely.

#Approach 2. Professional Solution to Allow Commenting on PDF

When a user does not know the permission password, even the Adobe Acrobat method fails to remove restrictions from PDF files. Therefore, to overcome this situation, this makes it necessary to opt for a specialized solution i.e., PDF Restriction Remover. The software is designed in a way that unlocks PDFs with an owner-level password hassle-free. 

Using this tool, one can remove edit, copy, comment, etc., restrictions from PDF files. This utility is capable enough to copy text from encrypted PDF files and enables the option to add comments. It allows commenting on PDF documents when not allowed in just a few simple clicks. 

Unlike Adobe Acrobat, the software does not require an owner-level password to remove restrictions. You just have to download it from the above download button on any Windows or Mac OS and try this for free. After completing your trial, if you find this utility capable enough, as you desire. Then, you opt for this full version by hitting on the purchase button. 

Step-Wise Instructions to Enable Commenting in PDF

Let’s see how we can use this advanced tool to allow commenting on PDF documents:

1: To remove comment restrictions, just install the utility.

allow commenting on PDF

2: Once the installation is done, launch the tool and hit the Add File or Add Folder to load the locked PDF files.

loading PDF files

3: Next, preview the files inserted, and select the option to Save or Print PDF files.

preview, save or print PDF files

4: Then, with the help of the Change button, set the file location path for saving the unlocked PDF files. 

set the location to save files

5: Finally, hit the Unlock button to allow commenting on PDF files. 

allow commenting on PDF

Also Read: Explore the Finest Solution to Sign a Secured PDF in Adobe

Observational Verdict

Whenever a user reads or views a PDF file and is unable to mark or add some notes to it, the document is comment-restricted. This means that the user can not add comments to the PDF files. Thus, in this blog, we have discussed all possible ways how to allow commenting on PDF when not allowed. Also, I hope you enjoy our blog by exploring the clear explanations and easy-to-follow instructions, all conveniently in one place to enable commenting in PDF.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why can’t I comment on a PDF file?

Ans. Commenting may be disabled, due to lack of permissions. To bypass this limitation verify that you have PDF supports commenting and check settings.

Q: Is enabling commenting on a PDF reversible?

Ans. Yes, you can turn off commenting on a PDF if you previously enabled it, usually through settings or options.

Q: Will enabling commenting on a PDF affect its security?

Ans. Allowing comments on a PDF could make it less secure if it allows unauthorized changes or access to the document.

Q: Are there any best practices for enabling commenting on a PDF?

Ans. Best practices include setting permissions carefully, using secure software, and limiting access to authorized users for commenting on PDFs. Before initiating the task, take a backup so that if your data gets corrupted for any reason, it will ensure data continuity.

Q: Can I allow commenting on PDF?

Ans. Yes, you can enable the commenting option in protected PDF, using the specified automated solution, by following these steps:

Step 1. Install the unlock tool.

Step 2. Add the PDF file using “Add Files” or “Add Folder”.

Step 3. Pick a destination with the “Change” option.

Step 4. Click “Unlock” to eliminate the password and gain access.

Q: Are there any legal considerations when we enable commenting in PDF?

Ans. Consider laws regarding data protection, intellectual property, confidentiality, & privacy, and ensure legal compliance.

  author

By Mohit Jha

Mohit is a Microsoft-certified expert who has assisted thousands of clients with Outlook & Microsoft Office 365 issues. He enjoys writing on email clients as well as data migration. He is always excited about giving troubled readers the most up-to-date knowledge, explanation, and refinements.