Merging is often the last step before a final review, so the comments are exactly what you can’t afford to lose. This page covers only that: keeping comments. For every other merge option, see the complete guide to merging Google Docs.
- Why Google Docs drops comments when you combine files
- Merge Google Docs with comments using Merge Docs Pro
- Merge comments into an existing Doc
- What is and isn’t copied
Why native merging loses comments
Use this section to decide whether you need a tool at all.
Google Docs has no merge command. The two native routes both lose comments:
- Copy and paste. Only text and formatting are pasted. Every comment thread stays in the source Doc.
- Document tabs. Document tabs let you hold each source in its own tab, but you still fill each tab by copy-paste, so the comments stay behind.
- File > Make a copy. This copies comments, but only into a duplicate of one Doc. It can’t combine two files.
If the comments are already resolved and nobody needs them, native copy-paste is fine. If reviewers still need to see them, use the add-on below. The guide to copying comments between Google Docs covers the single-file cases in more detail.
Merging Google Docs with comments in Merge Docs Pro
Use this when you want one new Doc that contains several sources and all of their comment threads.
Merge Docs Pro is a Google Docs and Google Sheets add-on. The comment option is in the Google Docs add-on.
- Install the add-on from the Marketplace listing, then open any Google Doc.
- Click Extensions > Merge Docs Pro > Merge Multiple Docs into One.
- Under Merge Destination, choose Merge into a new Google Doc.
- Decide whether to add the current document’s contents at the beginning, at the end, or not at all.
- Under Merge Options, tick Copy comments from source documents (BETA). Tick Add page break before each merged document if each source should start on a new page.
- Click Select Google Docs or Drive Files and Merge.
- Select the Docs in the file picker. Hold Ctrl (Windows) or Cmd (Mac) to pick several, then click OK.
Result: A new Google Doc in your Drive with every source, and each comment attached to the same text as before. The summary after the merge says how many comments were copied.
Tip: The option is off by default. Once you tick it, Merge Docs Pro remembers your choice for the next merge.
Merging comments into an existing Google Doc
Use this when you already have a master Doc, such as a report or book manuscript, and want to add sections with their comments.
- Open the master Doc.
- Click Extensions > Merge Docs Pro > Merge Multiple Docs into One.
- Under Merge Destination, choose Merge into current document.
- Tick Copy comments from source documents (BETA).
- Select the source Docs and click OK.
Result: The sources are added to the open Doc. Its existing comments stay where they are, and the copied ones join them.
This is the only way to bring comments into a Doc that already exists. Make a copy always creates a new file.
What is and isn’t copied
Use this table to check the result before you share the merged Doc.
| Item | Copied? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Comment threads | Yes | Attached to the same text in the merged Doc |
| Replies | Yes | Kept in the same thread |
| Resolved threads | Yes | Stay resolved |
| Original author and date | Yes | Each comment starts with “Originally by [name] on [date]“ |
| Suggested edits | No | Accept or reject them first |
| Comments in view-only files | No | You need more than view access to the source |
| Word, ODT and RTF comments | Yes | Through Google’s conversion of the file’s comments |
Some details worth knowing:
- Author: copied comments are posted by you, the person running the merge. The “Originally by” line keeps the original author visible.
- Text that wasn’t merged: the comment is placed at the start of that document’s section, with the original quoted text.
- Assignments and emails: comments are never assigned to anyone. The feature is designed so the merge doesn’t send notification emails to people mentioned in comments.
- Content: the merged text is the same whether the option is on or off.
Because suggestions aren’t copied, accept all suggestions in Google Docs before merging, or reject the ones you don’t want. To find old threads in the result, see how to view resolved comments.
Comparing the methods
| Method | Keeps comments | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Copy and paste | No | 2–3 Docs with no open comments |
| Document tabs | No | Keeping sources as separate sections |
| File > Make a copy | Yes, but one Doc only | Duplicating a single Doc |
| Merge Docs Pro with Copy comments | Yes, with replies and resolved status | Merging several Docs, into a new or existing Doc |
Platform differences
- Desktop browser only. Add-ons run in Google Docs on a computer, not in the Docs mobile apps.
- Google Docs add-on only. The Copy comments option isn’t in the Google Sheets add-on yet. Use the Docs add-on when comments matter.
- Word files. Word, ODT and RTF comments come through too. For Word-only projects, see how to merge Word documents with comments.
Troubleshooting
- No comments in the merged Doc. The option was unticked. Merge again with Copy comments from source documents (BETA) ticked.
- Fewer comments than expected. Some sources may be view-only for you. Ask for comment or edit access, then merge again.
- Comments at the top of a section. The commented text wasn’t merged or no longer exists, so the comment kept its original quote instead.
- Suggestions disappeared. Suggested edits are never copied. Resolve them in the source Docs and merge again.
- You need the merged Doc as a PDF with comments. A PDF export handles comments differently; see how to download a Google Doc with comments.
Once review is done, export the merged Doc as a PDF or lock the Google Doc to stop further edits. More merge methods are in the merge documents guides.