Depending on the document release settings, the edit field is "Release Notes" can be mandatory or not.

The release note is shown in "View Release History" of the selected document and in the End User Portal.

The document release settings require a comment in release notes

The checkbox "Comment Required" is activated in the Document Release Settings.

The illustration shows the release settings to the left <1> and the consequence in the document status change "Released" on the right.

When the edit field for release notes <2> is not filled, a red information is shown and it is not possible to finish the release process.

The document release settings don't require a comment in release notes

When the checkbox "Comment Required" is not activated, the edit field "Release Notes" can be used optionally.

The illustration shows the document change dialogue for "Released" and the optional edit field "Release Notes" (green frame)