Resolve Comments
Your document's margins are a conversation — twelve comments, three reviewers, two arguments — and the draft cannot move forward until every thread closes. Resolving comments marks feedback as handled without deleting the record, keeping the review history intact. Here is the tidy workflow.
TL;DR / Quick Fix
Quick fix: in Word, click a comment and press Resolve to mark it handled; the thread collapses but stays in history. Reply inside the comment before resolving to keep discussion attached. Use Next Comment to walk through open threads. Delete only mistaken comments, and never delete someone else's feedback silently.
Follow these steps
- Open the Comments pane. On the Review tab, click Comments to show every thread in a sidebar. The pane beats hunting through margins one by one.
- Reply before you resolve. Type your response inside the comment thread first. The reply stays attached to the history, so reviewers see you actually addressed their point.
- Resolve the thread. Click the checkmark or Resolve on the comment. The thread collapses out of the way but remains in the document's review history.
- Walk through with Next. Use Next Comment to jump thread to thread until none remain open. An unreviewed comment hiding on page nine is how feedback gets lost.
- Delete only true mistakes. Delete comments that were posted in error or are pure duplicates. Deleting real feedback erases the record — resolve instead.
- Accept the underlying edits too. Comments often accompany tracked edits. Once feedback is resolved, accept the changes so the document itself reflects the decisions.
What NOT to do
- Do not delete a reviewer's comment instead of resolving it. That reads as ignoring feedback — resolve and reply.
- Do not resolve threads you have not actually addressed. A resolved-but-unfixed comment will come back angrier.
- Do not leave ancient comments in a final document. Even resolved threads add bloat — do a final pass and delete the dead ones before sending.
- Do not assume everyone sees comments the same way. Some reviewers work in the pane, some in balloons — confirm nothing hides in a view they never open.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between Resolve and Delete?
Resolve marks the thread handled and keeps it in history; Delete erases it entirely. Resolve is almost always the right choice.
Can I reopen a resolved comment?
Yes — reopen it from the resolved section if the issue comes back. Nothing about resolving is permanent.
Why can I not see comments at all?
Check the Review tab display is set to show comments, not just markup. The everyone-visible markup guide explains the view options.