When you print a Word document that has comments, you can print the comments in the margin next to the text, print only a list of the comments, or leave them out entirely. It’s all controlled by one setting in the Print screen and by what markup is showing on the Review tab. This guide covers each option in Word for Microsoft 365, Word 2021, 2019 and 2016, plus how to make the comments easier to read on paper and how to print them on a Mac.
Quick Answer
Click File > Print, click the first drop-down under Settings (usually Print All Pages), and make sure Print Markup is checked. The preview shows the comments in balloons in the margin. To print only the comments, choose List of Markup in the same drop-down.
Print a Document With Comments in the Margin
- On the Review tab, set the markup view to All Markup (the drop-down in the Tracking group). With Simple Markup, only small comment icons may print.
- Click Review > Show Markup and make sure Comments is checked. Choose Balloons > Show Revisions in Balloons or Show Only Comments and Formatting in Balloons.
- Click File > Print (or press Ctrl + P).
- Under Settings, click the first drop-down and check Print Markup.
- Check the preview, choose your printer, and click Print.
Word shrinks the page slightly to fit the comment balloons in the margin, so text will be smaller than usual.
Print Only the Comments
- Click File > Print.
- Click the first drop-down under Settings.
- Under Document Info, choose List of Markup.
- Click Print.
Word prints a list of every comment (and tracked change, if any) with the reviewer’s name, date and page number, without the document text. To list only comments, go to Review > Show Markup first and uncheck Insertions and Deletions and Formatting.
Print Without Comments
In File > Print, open the first drop-down and uncheck Print Markup. Or on the Review tab, switch to No Markup before printing. The comments stay in the document; they just don’t print.
Make Printed Comments Easier to Read
- Print in landscape: File > Print > Landscape Orientation gives the balloons more room.
- Adjust balloon width: Review > Tracking group launcher (small arrow) > Advanced Options > set Preferred width and Margin.
- Print a specific reviewer’s comments: Review > Show Markup > Specific People, and uncheck the reviewers you don’t want.
- Save as PDF with comments: File > Save As > PDF, click Options and make sure Document showing markup is selected.
Print Comments in Word for Mac
- Click File > Print.
- Click Show Details if needed, then find the Microsoft Word section (or choose it from the menu in the middle of the dialog).
- Next to Print What, choose Document with Markup to include comments, or List of Markup to print only the comments.
In Excel, see how to print comments in Excel.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why aren’t my comments printing?
Print Markup is unchecked, the view is set to No Markup or Simple Markup, or comments are hidden in Show Markup. Check all three.
Can I print resolved comments?
Resolved comments may not print in the margin. Reopen them (click Reopen in the comment) before printing if you need them.
Can I export comments to a separate file?
Print List of Markup to PDF, or copy the list into a new document. There’s no built-in export button.
Summary
- Set Review to All Markup.
- Open File > Print.
- Check Print Markup to include comments, or choose List of Markup for comments only.
- Uncheck Print Markup to print without comments.
Kermit Matthews is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with more than a decade of experience writing technology guides. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science and has spent much of his professional career in IT management.
He specializes in writing content about iPhones, Android devices, Microsoft Office, and many other popular applications and devices.