Learn how to remove all comments and highlights from a PDF, how Smallpdf can help, and which methods work best for bulk cleanup.
Need to clean up a heavily marked-up PDF? Smallpdf helps you delete comments and highlights in your browser, without installing desktop software.
While you can’t do it with a single “remove all comments” button, we give you a fast way to clear the comments and reliable alternatives for true bulk removal.
How to Remove All Comments from PDF with Smallpdf
You can remove comments and highlights directly in your browser using our editor. This method is ideal for light to moderate markup, or when you don’t have desktop software installed.
Note: Smallpdf currently doesn’t have a single-click “remove all” option. You’ll delete comments and highlights in batches by selecting them on each page.
Step 1: Open Edit PDF and Upload Your File
Head to Edit PDF and upload your PDF. You can:
- Drag and drop the file onto the page.
- Click “Choose Files” to browse your device.
- Import the PDF from Google Drive, Dropbox, or OneDrive.
Once the file loads, you’ll see the document preview with any highlights, shapes, or comment boxes.
Step 2: Select and Delete Comments and Highlights
Click on any highlight, underline, or comment box you want to remove. When it’s selected, you’ll see a small trash icon. Click that icon to delete the element.
Work your way through the document:
- Scroll page by page.
- Click each unwanted highlight or comment.
- Delete them using the trash icon.
For shorter documents, this is usually quick. For very long documents with heavy markup, consider using the Adobe Acrobat method below for true mass selection.
Remove all comments from the PDF
Step 3: Download your cleaned PDF
When you’re done:
- Click the “Export” button in the top-right corner.
- Choose “Download” to save the new version to your device.
- Or send it straight back to Google Drive, Dropbox, or OneDrive.
Our editor runs in your browser, and your files are processed securely. Documents are automatically deleted from our servers after one hour.
If you want to finalize the file, you can also send it to Flatten PDF to lock the remaining content into a static layer.
Why Clear Comments and Highlights?
Removing highlights and comments does more than tidy up the page. It helps you prepare a truly final version of your PDF.
Clearing markup can:
- Improve professionalism for reports, proposals, and client deliverables
- Make long documents easier to read without colored distractions
- Prevent older feedback from confusing new reviewers
- Create a clean copy for archiving or formal submission
A simple cleanup step helps you move from “in review” to “approved” without confusion about which notes still matter.
Alternative Ways to Remove PDF Comments
While Smallpdf offers the quickest solution, here are other options for removing interactive content.
- Preview (Mac): You can show the annotations sidebar, select comments, and delete them manually, then use Smallpdf later to compress or protect the cleaned PDF.
- Desktop PDF editors (like PDFgear): Some desktop apps offer bulk comment deletion. After cleanup, you can upload the file to Smallpdf for flattening, signing, or sharing.
- Other web-based editors (like AvePDF): These services can remove comments online, which you can then refine or secure using Smallpdf.
In practice, many users clear markup in the app they already have installed, then rely on Smallpdf for flattening, compression, e-signing, or secure sharing.
Can’t Select or Delete Comments? Troubleshooting Tips
Sometimes you click on a highlight or comment, and nothing happens. In that case, check for these common issues.
1. Flattened PDF
If the PDF was flattened, annotations are now part of the static content, not interactive elements. You cannot delete them directly. You may need to return to an unflattened original or use an OCR workflow to rebuild an editable file.
2. Scanned documents
If your PDF is a scanned image, the “comments” may actually be part of the scan. Use an OCR tool to create an editable PDF, then open it with Edit PDF to adjust or cover markup.
3. Locked comments or permissions
The PDF may have security settings that prevent changes. Try Unlock PDF if you have the password, then reopen the file in Edit PDF.
4. Viewer limitations
Some viewers only hide comments rather than deleting them. Make sure you’re actually removing annotation objects, not just turning off a display option.
If you plan to finalize the file after cleanup, you can use Flatten PDF to merge any remaining visible elements into a single layer so they cannot be reactivated later.
Remove PDF Comments and Highlights the Easy Way
Now that you know how to remove all comments from PDF files and what to do in trickier cases, you can create clean, professional documents for sharing, presenting, or archiving.
Start your free trial to access all Smallpdf tools.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I mass delete all comments on a PDF?
Use Smallpdf Edit PDF tool to select and delete comments individually. It’s not a mass delete, but it’s still quick.
How do I stop comments from showing on a PDF?
To hide comments temporarily, disable the annotations view in your PDF viewer. For permanent removal, delete the comments using Smallpdf or Adobe Acrobat.
What is the best way to flatten a PDF?
After removing comments and highlights, use Smallpdf Flatten PDF to make changes permanent by merging all elements into a single layer.
Can I remove highlights without removing comments?
Yes, Smallpdf allows selective removal—just click on specific highlights or comments to delete them individually.
Why can’t I delete comments from my PDF?
Your PDF may be flattened, scanned, or have permission restrictions. Check our troubleshooting section above for solutions.
