An annotation is a comment you can add to a file in Preview.
Viewing annotations
In the Annotations window, Box displays annotations and their latest replies.
Each annotation and reply contains the following details:
- Comment owner
- Date and time
- Content
- If you’re the owner of the annotation or reply: the ability to delete or edit annotations and threaded replies
To view all annotations: click the bubble icon. Box then displays the Activity panel containing comments and their annotations.
To view an individual annotation: click the annotation.
If an annotation has more than one reply, between the annotation and its latest reply, Box displays the number of replies. If you click that number, the entire thread expands in the modal.
Adding annotations
To add an annotation to a file in Preview:
- In the preview of the file, click in the text and drag the mouse to highlight the text on which you want to comment. Box displays the Add Comment button near the highlighted text.
- Click Add Comment.
- In the Type a comment field, enter the feedback you want to share.
- Click Post.
Notifications
When you @mention someone within an annotation, Box sends an email and a Box notification to that person. The email and Box notification contain a link to the annotation on the board, where threaded replies are displayed.
Replying to annotations
You can add a reply to an existing annotation.
Nested replies—a reply to a reply and so on—are not supported.
To reply to an annotation:
- In the right sidebar, click the annotation.
- Click Reply.
- In the Reply in thread field, enter your response.
- Click Post.
Deleting annotations
You can delete annotations you own at any time. You must confirm any deletion.
When you delete the top level annotation or global comment, the replies attached with it are deleted.
To delete an annotation you own:
- Adjacent to the annotation, click the ellipsis (…) button.
- Click Delete.
- Confirm the deletion by clicking Delete.
Editing annotations
You can edit replies you own at any time. When you edit an annotation, Box adds the Edited label to the annotation.
To edit an annotation or reply:
- Adjacent to the annotation or reply, click the ellipsis (…) button.
- Click Modify.
- Edit the text of the annotation or reply.
- Click Update.
If you’re the owner of a global comment, or if you are the file owner, you can edit that comment or delete it together with its entire annotation thread, at any time.
Deleted annotations disappear from the sidebar.
You can edit a global comment you own.
When you edit a global comment, Box adds the Edited label to the annotation.
To edit a global comment you own:
- Click the global comment.
- Click Modify.
- Edit the text of the comment.
- Click Update.
To delete a global comment you own and its annotations:
- Click the global comment.
- Click Delete.
- Confirm the deletion by clicking Delete.
Resolving annotations
Annotations are either in an Unresolved or Resolved status.
Anyone can resolve an annotation. However, individual replies within an annotation cannot be resolved.
Resolved annotations can be reverted back to Unresolved status.
To resolve an annotation:
- Adjacent to the annotation, click the ellipsis (…) button.
- Click Resolve. Box displays the Resolved badge in the annotation.
To restore an annotation to Unresolved status:
- Adjacent to the annotation, click the ellipsis (…) button.
- Click Unresolve. Box removes the Resolved badge in the annotation.
Filtering and sorting annotations
You can filter annotations and their threaded replies based on:
Box sorts annotations in ascending order, from top to bottom, based on the date and time of the top-level annotation or global comment.
To filter annotations:
- In the right sidebar, click the Comments icon. Box displays the Comments sidebar.
- At the top of the Comments sidebar, click the type of filter you want. Box displays the filtered comments, annotations, and threaded replies.
Last modified on July 13, 2026
