How to Insert Audio Comments in a PDF Using Adobe Acrobat in Windows 11

If you’re looking to give feedback in a more personal or expressive way, audio comments can be a great tool—especially when text alone doesn’t cut it. Whether you’re reviewing documents, collaborating on creative work, or making accessibility-friendly notes, Adobe Acrobat makes it easy to add voice comments directly into a PDF.

Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to do it in Windows 11 using Adobe Acrobat (Pro or Standard).

🔊 What You’ll Need

• Adobe Acrobat (Standard or Pro) – not just the free Acrobat Reader.
• A microphone connected to your PC (built-in or external).
• A PDF file open in Acrobat.
• Windows 11, of course.

✅ Step-by-Step: Insert an Audio Comment in Adobe Acrobat

1. Open Your PDF in Adobe Acrobat
   • Right-click your PDF and choose Open with > Adobe Acrobat.
2. Switch to the Comment Tool
   • Go to the right-hand sidebar and click “Comment”.
   • This opens up the full suite of annotation tools.
3. Select the Audio Comment Tool
   • Click the “Record Audio” icon. (If you don’t see it, click the Tools icon on the top bar or look under “Drawing Tools” dropdown.)
   • It may also appear as a small microphone symbol.
4. Click Where You Want the Audio Comment
   • Once the tool is selected, click anywhere on the page where you want the comment to appear.
   • A dialog box will open.
5. Record Your Comment
   • Click “Record”, speak your comment, and click “Stop” when you’re done.
   • You can play it back to review.
   • Hit “OK” to insert the audio comment.
6. Save Your PDF
   • Go to File > Save to make sure your audio comment stays embedded in the document.

🎧 Playback and Sharing

Once inserted, anyone with Adobe Acrobat or Acrobat Reader can click the audio icon to play the comment. This is useful for:

• Voice-over feedback
• Language learning materials
• Accessibility features
• Collaborative creative work

🛠 Tips and Troubleshooting

• Can’t find the audio comment tool? Make sure you’re not in “Protected View” or a limited mode. Full editing needs to be enabled.
• No sound on playback? Check your mic input settings in Windows 11 and make sure Acrobat has access.
• Want to replace the audio? Just delete the old comment and insert a new one.

Final Thoughts

Audio comments can transform how you interact with PDFs, bringing clarity, emotion, and efficiency to your feedback. Adobe Acrobat on Windows 11 makes the process straightforward—no extra plugins, no complicated setup.

If you’re already working with PDFs, give audio comments a try. Sometimes your voice says more than text ever could.

Mark Vincent

Tech enthusiast and content creator passionate about making technology simple for everyone. I share practical tips, guides, and reviews on the latest in computers, software, and gadgets. Let’s explore the digital world together!