Unable to add comments to text in Pages object captions

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Level 1

21 points

Unable to add comments to text in Pages object captions

I am using Pages to edit a draft of an illustrated children's book. When I suggest an edit to some text, I use the "Comment" icon above the page to add the comment. However, when I suggest an edit to some text in an object caption, the "Comment" icon greys out. Does anyone know how to add a comment to text inside an object caption? I've searched the Community but have had no luck finding a solution there. Please help if you can. This is very frustrating. Thank you.

MacBook Air 15″

Posted on Nov 23, 2025 11:44 AM

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Answer 1

VikingOSX

Level 10

123,150 points

Nov 23, 2025 6:40 PM in response to podbay

If by Object caption, you are referring to an image or shape object dropped into Pages with optional Caption text, then I can select that caption text and click the Comment toolbar item and it does produce a popup comment box as in the following example:

Tested: Pages v14.4 on macOS Tahoe 26.1

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Answer 2

podbay Author

Level 1

21 points

Nov 27, 2025 8:17 AM in response to VikingOSX

It's a mystery to me why the "Comment" icon goes gray when I select any text in a Caption Box. I discovered that if I select the graphic itself, I can make a comment in which I refer to the text below the graphic. I go with that option for now. I will try to replicate the "alternative" that you suggested sometime soon. Thanks again.

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Answer 3

podbay Author

Level 1

21 points

Nov 27, 2025 3:32 PM in response to VikingOSX

Hello. For some reason, your latest reply (dated 27 November 2025 09:32 AM - MST) does not appear in the discussion on the Apple Community page.

Anyway, I do not know what a Pages shape is (my apologies.) I am editing a manuscript of a children's book written by someone else. The graphics that appear in the book were created using Google Gemini.

So I opened a new Pages document and inserted a photo take recently. Then I created a Caption box underneath the photo. I was able to successfully add a comment on a word in the Caption box. See image below.

My conclusion is that a text message in a Caption box underneath a graphic image created by the Google Gemini app (with which I am not familiar) turns off the Comment function in Pages.

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Answer 4

VikingOSX

Level 10

123,150 points

Nov 27, 2025 8:23 AM in response to podbay

By graphic, I presume you mean a Pages shape? I can caption and comment that caption for single-page PDF, SVG artwork, and other compatible graphic images dropped into Pages.

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Answer 5

podbay Author

Level 1

21 points

Nov 24, 2025 7:36 AM in response to VikingOSX

Hello, VikingOSX. Thank you for your reply. I will investigate later today or tomorrow and report back accordingly. I will send a screenshot of the object caption so you can see what I mean. Perhaps I am referring to this anomaly incorrectly.

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Answer 6

VikingOSX

Level 10

123,150 points

Nov 26, 2025 5:59 AM in response to podbay

From what I see in the video, you have not selected the recipient text before choosing Comment from the toolbar. The Comment tool only works on a selected text target and without that selection, the Comment tools is inactive (grayed out).

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Answer 7

podbay Author

Level 1

21 points

Nov 26, 2025 5:18 PM in response to VikingOSX

Hello, VikingOSX. The problem is, when I select the "recipient text", it immediately turn the "Comment" option to gray. This only happens if the text is in a caption box, created under a graphic. I guess there is no solution to this issue. Thanks for your help, regardless.

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Answer 8

podbay Author

Level 1

21 points

Nov 25, 2025 7:41 PM in response to VikingOSX

Hello, VikingOSX. Hopefully this video will help explain what I am trying to do.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xb5WSyOezSg

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Answer 9

VikingOSX

Level 10

123,150 points

Nov 27, 2025 7:23 AM in response to podbay

I had no issue selecting caption text and applying a Comment as I demonstrated above.

An alternative for you is to not select a Caption for that graphic, but rather insert a Text box. While it remains selected, visit the Arrange panel and set Text Wrap to None. Now, you can reshape that Text box into a faux Caption box below your graphic, enter your Caption text, and apply a Comment. Then you press the shift-key and select the Text box and your graphic. On the Arrange panel, you click Group and now you have unified graphic and Commented caption box.

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