How to Download Google Doc with Comments: A Step-by-Step Guide

Google Docs is a powerful tool for collaboration, but what if you need to download a document with all the comments intact? Whether you’re preparing a report for a client or need to archive feedback for future reference, downloading your Google Doc with comments can be essential. Here’s a comprehensive guide to help you through the process.

Step 1: Open Your Google Doc

First, you need to open the Google Doc that you want to download. Navigate to Google Docs and log in with your Google account if you haven’t already. Locate the document by browsing through your recent files or using the search bar.

Step 2: Access the Download Options

Once your document is open, go to the top left corner of the screen and click on the File menu. This will reveal a drop-down menu with various options for your document.

Step 3: Select the Download Format

Hover over the Download option in the drop-down menu to reveal a list of file formats. To download your Google Doc with comments, you have a couple of choices:

1. PDF Document (.pdf) : This format is ideal for preserving the layout and comments exactly as they appear on your screen.
2. Microsoft Word (.docx) : If you prefer working in Word or need to share the document with someone who uses Microsoft Office, choose this format.

Step 4: Ensure Comments are Included

When downloading as a PDF or .docx, Google Docs automatically includes comments in the document. However, it's always a good idea to double-check. If you’ve selected PDF format, the comments will appear in the margins, just as they do in Google Docs. For .docx, comments will be preserved in the document as well, typically shown in the markup area.

Step 5: Download the Document

After selecting your preferred format, click on it to begin the download. Your browser will prompt you to save the file. Choose the location where you’d like to store the document and confirm by clicking Save .

Step 6: Review Your Downloaded Document

Once the download is complete, open the file to ensure that all comments are included and appear as expected. Check both the layout and the comments to make sure everything is correctly formatted. Check it out if you need to print the document with comments.

FAQ

Q: Can I download a Google Doc with comments as an HTML file?

A: No, Google Docs does not support downloading with comments in HTML format. For comments, PDF and .docx are your best options.

Q: What if I only want to download the comments without the document?

A: Google Docs does not provide a feature to download only comments separately. You would need to copy the comments manually or use a third-party tool to extract them if that’s essential.

Q: Are comments visible when printing a Google Doc?

A: When printing directly from Google Docs, comments are not included by default. However, if you download the document as a PDF or .docx and print from that file, comments will appear in the printout.

Q: Can I download a document with comments on a mobile device?

A: Yes, you can download Google Docs with comments using the mobile app, though the options might be more limited compared to the desktop version. Open the document, tap the three-dot menu, select Share & export , then choose Save as and select your format.