Add to Chrome

Does the reviewer have to install anything to leave notes?

By the Docmend team · Updated 2026-10-12

Short answer

No. With the Docmend Chrome extension, you send a review link that opens as a normal web page on a computer or phone. The reviewer selects text and leaves a note in any browser, typing their name once. There is no sign-in and nothing to install. Only the person who owns the document needs the extension.

If the reviewer does have Docmend, they can also leave notes from its side panel. See also how to let someone comment without a Google account, whether a reviewer can edit your file and commenting on a Word file without Word.

How a review link works

  1. Add Docmend to Chrome from the Chrome Web Store. It is free and needs no account.
  2. Open your Doc, click the Docmend icon, pick Use a Google Doc, and choose Get feedback.
  3. Click Create review link and send the link by email or chat.
  4. Your reviewer opens it in any browser, selects text, and leaves a note. They type their name once. There is no sign-in and nothing to install.
  5. Their notes appear in Docmend, and one click adds them to your Doc as comments on the same text.

Common questions

Does the reviewer have to install anything to leave notes?

No. With the Docmend Chrome extension, you send a review link that opens as a normal web page on a computer or phone. The reviewer selects text and leaves a note in any browser, typing their name once. There is no sign-in and nothing to install. Only the person who owns the document needs the extension.

Does the reviewer need a Google account?

No. On a Docmend review link, anyone can highlight text and leave notes using only their name.

Does it work for PDFs and Word files too?

Yes. You can upload a PDF or Word file in Docmend and share a review link the same way. For a PDF, you can download it afterwards with the reviewer’s notes as PDF comments.

Can the reviewer edit my document?

No. A Docmend review link is a read-only copy. Reviewers can highlight text, leave notes, and approve or sign. Your original Doc changes only when you add their notes.

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