Adding sticky notes to a Microsoft Word document, like using virtual post-it notes, lets you comment on the document without interfering with the actual text of the document. You can use Word's built-in Comment function, which adds a coloured bubble in the right margin of the page and connects the bubble to the place where you inserted the comment. For a more customisable option that you can place anywhere on the page, you can insert a Callout shape, which looks like a "thought bubble" and clearly shows which part of the page it refers to. Both options let you write whatever you want in the sticky note.

  • Adding sticky notes to a Microsoft Word document, like using virtual post-it notes, lets you comment on the document without interfering with the actual text of the document.
  • You can use Word's built-in Comment function, which adds a coloured bubble in the right margin of the page and connects the bubble to the place where you inserted the comment.

Click in the text where you want to add the Word Comment, or select the text that you want to comment on.

Click the "Review" tab on the Ribbon at the top of the Word window.

Click the "New Comment" button on the Ribbon.

Type to add text to the Word Comment.

Click the "Insert" tab.

Click the "Shapes" button and choose one of the shapes presented on the drop-down menu under the heading "Callout."

Click and drag to place the shape. The place you click sets one corner of the shape; drag diagonally to the place you want to set the opposite corner, and then release the mouse button.

Move the callout to place it more precisely, if desired, by clicking the edge of the callout somewhere along the dotted line and dragging to the intended location.

  • Type to add text to the Word Comment.
  • Move the callout to place it more precisely, if desired, by clicking the edge of the callout somewhere along the dotted line and dragging to the intended location.

Colour the callout to make it look more like a sticky note, if desired, by clicking one of the Text Box Styles on the Ribbon.

Type to add text to the callout. Note that unlike a Word Comment, a callout is an object within the document, just like other text and images. This means that it will be printed out and that its size and position may interfere with other document content. For example, it may cause text to reflow, or it may overlay (and obscure) text and images.