When to use segment comments in Smart Editor
Use segment comments to share important information about a specific segment with the next participant in the workflow or collaborator on the job. This includes, for example, relevant website links, explanations of translation or terminology choices, and notes about style or tone considerations.
Language experts and validators are responsible for reviewing and addressing all segment comments prior to delivering the job. Segment comments are not reviewed by the Project Manager.
When to use Messages in the platform
Use Messages to contact the Project Manager if you have any project‑related questions. Make sure to reach out to the Project Manager prior to delivering the job.
All communication with the Project Manager should take place exclusively in Messages.
Please write segment comments in English whenever possible. This helps ensure that everyone involved in the workflow can understand them, even when they are based in different countries or working with multiple target languages.
Accessing segment comments
When you open a job in Smart Editor, you will see a pop-up introducing segment comments. In the Comments panel, you can also hover over the help icon to view a short explanation of the feature.
To work with segment comments, open the Comments panel in Smart Editor. When a segment contains comments, a bubble icon shows the number of comments on that segment. Clicking the bubble opens the comment thread for that segment.
Adding a comment
To add a comment, first select the segment you want to comment on. Then click the comment icon in the inline menu or use the input field in the Comments panel. You can also use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl + Alt + M.
Type your comment and save it. Comments can contain up to 500 characters, including URLs. If the comment is longer than the allowed limit, you will not be able to save it.
Once saved, the comment appears in the Comments panel and the segment bubble updates to show the number of comments on that segment.
Note: To add a comment to a soft-locked segment, you first need to unlock it.
Reading comments
Comments are displayed in chronological order, from the oldest to the newest. When a segment contains several comments, the Comments panel opens at the bottom of the thread so you can see the latest comment first. Older comments are loaded as you scroll upward.
Each comment includes basic information such as the user, the workflow step, and the timestamp. If a comment has been edited, it is marked as Edited.
Editing your own comment
You can edit your own comment if it does not already have a reply. To edit a comment, click on the pen icon, update the text, and save the change.
Only the author of a comment can edit it. Other users can read the comment and reply to it, but they cannot change its content.
If a comment has been edited, it is marked as such.
Deleting your own comment
You can delete your own comment if it does not have a reply. Open the three-dot menu on the comment, select Delete, and confirm the action in the dialog box.
After deletion, the comment is removed from the thread and the comment counter on the segment is updated automatically.
Replying to a comment
You can reply to an existing comment from the Comments panel. Open the comment menu, click on the arrow icon, type your response, and save it. A short excerpt of the original comment is shown while you are writing the reply so you can keep the context.
After the reply is saved, it appears at the bottom of the thread and shows which comment it refers to. You can use View reply to jump between the original comment and its reply.
Each comment can have one direct reply. If you need to continue the discussion, add a new comment in the thread or create a reply to already existing reply comment.
Filtering segments with comments
If you want to review only the segments that contain comments, use the segment filter. Open the segment filter drop-down and select With comments.
The segment list will then show only segments that have at least one comment. This makes it easier to review open questions and discussions in the job.
Unfinished comments
If you start typing a comment and then move to another segment, Smart Editor asks whether you want to Save or Discard the unfinished text.
If you choose Save, the comment is created and you are moved to the new segment. You can edit it later, if needed.
If you choose Discard, the text is removed and no comment is created.
If you switch between tabs, such as Document tools and Comments, while staying on the same segment, the unfinished text is not kept.
Refreshing the comments list
The Refresh button in the Comments panel appears if there is a long list of comments for same segment. It reloads the whole list and scrolls to the newest one. Use it if you want to make sure you are seeing the latest comments and replies.