Word Export and Print Comments: Full Guide

Yes, Microsoft Word lets you export and print comments, either alongside the document text or as a separate list. You control this through the Print dialog’s settings, and the exact options depend on whether you are using Word for Windows, Mac, or the web version.

Why Print or Export Comments?

Comments are essential for collaboration, but they can clutter a document on screen. Printing them serves several practical purposes:

• Review meetings: A paper copy with comments lets participants follow along without everyone needing a screen.
• Archiving feedback: A PDF with comments preserves the exact context of suggestions for later reference or legal records.
• Editing workflow: Some editors prefer to mark up a physical copy, then transfer comments back to the digital file.
• Sharing with non-Word users: Exporting to PDF with comments ensures the recipient sees the feedback even if they don’t have Word.

How to Print Comments in Word (Windows)

The process is straightforward but slightly hidden. Here’s the step-by-step for Word 2016 and later:

1. Open the document that contains comments.
2. Press Ctrl + P (or go to File → Print).
3. In the Print dialog, look for the Settings section (the first dropdown, usually showing “Print All Pages�).
4. Click that dropdown and scroll down to the Document Info section.
5. Choose one of these options:
   • Print Markup: Prints the document with the comments in the margin, plus tracked changes if any.
   • List of Markup: Prints only the comments (and tracked changes) as a separate list on its own pages, without the document text.
6. If you choose Print Markup, make sure the Print Markup checkbox (at the bottom of the Settings panel) is ticked. If it’s unticked, comments won’t print even if you selected the option.
7. Click Print.

Note: The “Print Markup� checkbox is separate from the “Print All Pages� dropdown. Both must be set correctly.

How to Print Comments in Word for Mac

Mac’s Word interface is slightly different, but the logic is the same:

1. Open the document and press Cmd + P.
2. In the Print dialog, click Show Details if you only see a simplified view.
3. Look for the Copies & Pages dropdown (or similar) and change it to Word.
4. You’ll see options like Print What and Print Markup.
5. Select Document with Markup or List of Markup from the dropdown.
6. Make sure Print Markup is checked.
7. Click Print.

If you don’t see these options, try clicking the blue PDF button at the bottom and choose “Save as PDF� – the same markup settings apply.

How to Export Comments to PDF (Without Printing)

Exporting to PDF is often more useful than printing to paper. The method depends on your Word version:

Word for Windows

1. Go to File → Save As (or Export).
2. Choose PDF as the file type.
3. Before saving, click Options (a small button near the file name).
4. In the Options dialog, check the box that says Document with markup under “Include non-printing information�.
5. Click OK, then Save.

This creates a PDF with the comments in the margin, exactly as they appear in the document.

Word for Mac

1. Go to File → Save As (or Export).
2. Choose PDF.
3. In the export options, check the box for Comments (or “Include comments�).
4. Save.

What If the Comments Don’t Print?

A few common issues can prevent comments from appearing on paper or in the PDF:

• “Print Markup� is unchecked: This is the most common culprit. In the Print dialog, look for the checkbox near the bottom and ensure it’s ticked.
• Comments are hidden in the document: On the Review tab, if “Show Comments� is off (in the Track Changes dropdown), comments won’t print. Turn them on first.
• You’re printing a PDF that was created without comments: If you previously saved a PDF without markup, that PDF won’t have comments. Re-export with the correct settings.
• Word Online (web version): The free web version of Word has limited printing options. It may not print comments at all. Use the desktop app or download the document first.

Printing Comments vs. Exporting to PDF: Which Should You Use?

Both methods achieve similar results, but there are trade-offs:

Method	Best for	Limitations
Print directly	Quick paper copies for a meeting	Uses paper; comments may be small
Export to PDF	Sharing digitally, archiving, printing later	Requires an extra step; PDF may not be editable

For most users, exporting to PDF is more flexible because you can email it, store it, or print it later without needing Word again.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I print only the comments, not the document text?

Yes. In the Print dialog, choose “List of Markup� (Windows) or “List of Markup� (Mac). This prints a standalone list of all comments, usually with page numbers and the commented text snippet. It’s useful for a summary of feedback.

Why does my PDF not show comments when I export?

You likely didn’t check the “Document with markup� (Windows) or “Comments� (Mac) option in the Save As dialog. The default is usually to exclude comments. Re-export and make sure that checkbox is selected.

Can I print comments in Word Online (browser)?

Word Online has very limited printing. It typically prints the document without comments, and there’s no option to include them. To print comments, open the document in the desktop app (Word 2016 or later) or download it and open in Word.

How do I print comments in Word 2010 or 2013?

The steps are similar: File → Print, then in the Settings dropdown, choose “Print Markup� or “List of Markup�. The checkbox for “Print Markup� also exists in these versions. If you don’t see it, look for a “Print What� dropdown.

Can I export comments to a separate text file?

Word doesn’t have a built-in “export comments to text� feature. However, you can print to PDF using “List of Markup� and then copy the text from the PDF, or use the “Save as� option in some versions to create an XML file that contains comments. The simplest workaround is to copy the comments manually from the Review pane.

Will tracked changes print along with comments?

Yes, if you choose “Print Markup�, both comments and tracked changes (insertions, deletions, formatting changes) will print. If you only want comments, you can turn off tracked changes display temporarily (Review → Track Changes → Show Markup → uncheck all except Comments) before printing.

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