Start 2025 on time and up to date. Seamlessly integrate your calendars into Dropbox with these simple steps.

Forum Discussion

jma2's avatar
jma2
Explorer | Level 4
5 years ago

My comments on PDF files are only visible on the site

I'm using Preview on a Mac to comment on a pdf file (adding text). Document is a pdf of a slide presentation, so each page is not text heavy. I worked on it all day yesterday (42 pages) and this morn...
Preview
sort
sync
jma2's avatar
jma2
Explorer | Level 4

Yes, I'm using the Mac Preview App to edit. The comments are inside the pdf file. All work is using the applications on my computers. When I view the file with my browser, the comments are there. I download the file and open with the Preview app installed on my Mac---no comments! Working under a deadline and I've spent more time troubleshooting than actually working! :-(

Thanks for taking the time to reply and trying to help me.

Jay's avatar
Jay
Icon for Dropbox Staff rankDropbox Staff
5 years ago

Can you try opening the PDF file in a different app to see if the comments are visible there?

Is it possible that Preview app when opening the PDF isn’t showing the comments by default for some reason?

  • jma2's avatar
    jma2
    Explorer | Level 4
    5 years ago

    I tried Adobe Acrobat as well in three different computers (Mac laptop, Mac desktop, and PC). Same issue. If I put in new comments in Preview, they remain in the document. I'm stumped. I hoping that there may be some issue with syncing and downloading on my account that will resolve itself overnight... Although anything new that I put in Dropbox seems to be okay.

    Thank you!

    • Jay's avatar
      Jay
      Icon for Dropbox Staff rankDropbox Staff
      5 years ago

      Could you forward a screenshot of the Preview app you’re using to add comments, and also a screenshot of the PDF file on the site showing the comments themselves.

      If possible, try to hide any personal details or info in the screenshots!

      • jma2's avatar
        jma2
        Explorer | Level 4
        5 years ago

        I was able to get a work around last night... I was able to open the file in my Chrome browser, went on the print window, and saved as a pdf onto my hard drive. I can't edit my added comments, but at least the information is there. 

        I was hoping the issue would resolve itself overnight, but not so.

        I attached the requested screenshots (kept it simple since this is work for a client). The red copy indicating that the information is verified appears on the file from Dropbox.com. The second shot is opening the file from the Dropbox file on my computer. 

        Screen shot from web view of pdf file.pngScreen shot from file using Preview.png

About View, download, and export

Need support with viewing, downloading, and exporting files and folders from your Dropbox account? Find help from the Dropbox Community.

Need more support

If you need more help you can view your support options (expected response time for an email or ticket is 24 hours), or contact us on X or Facebook.

For more info on available support options for your Dropbox plan, see this article.

If you found the answer to your question in this Community thread, please 'like' the post to say thanks and to let us know it was useful!