Respond to other comments:<\/b> Communicate back to team members directly under their comments using the reply field.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n
As you can see, the key difference between notes and comments is the ability to engage directly with others. As a general rule, therefore, it\u2019s best to use notes when working individually on a spreadsheet for personal reminders. Comments are best when working collaboratively on a spreadsheet that requires more back-and-forth communication.<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n
How to use the note feature in Google Sheets<\/h3>\n
Let\u2019s use the example mentioned above to demonstrate how to use the note feature in Google Sheets.<\/p>\n
Here is the Google Sheets file containing the attendance record of Class 7e\u2019s students in the month of November.<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/static.sheetgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/notes-and-comments-\u2013-1.png” alt=”Google Sheets comment vs note 0″ title_text=”notes and comments \u2013 1″ align=”center” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n
7 students in the classes went to a gifted and talented program on the 6th of November.<\/p>\n
Using the note feature, I want to create a note of this program on the spreadsheet for each student so that the rest of my colleagues are up-to-date.<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n
Step 1:<\/h4>\n
First, select the cell to which you want to attach a note.<\/p>\n
Right-click and select Insert note<\/b>.<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/static.sheetgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/notes-and-comments-\u2013-2.png” alt=”Google Sheets comment vs note 1″ title_text=”notes and comments \u2013 2″ align=”center” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n
Step 2:<\/h4>\n
An empty text box should appear beside the cell you clicked. Type in your note.<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/static.sheetgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/notes-and-comments-\u2013-3.png” alt=”Google Sheets comment vs note 2″ title_text=”notes and comments \u2013 3″ align=”center” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n
Step 3:<\/h4>\n
Click elsewhere on the spreadsheet. There should now be a black triangle in the corner of your cell – this means that the note is successfully attached to the cell.[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/static.sheetgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/notes-and-comments-\u2013-4.png” alt=”Google Sheets comment vs note 3″ title_text=”notes and comments \u2013 4″ align=”center” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n
Step 4:<\/h4>\n
In order to read the comment, hover the mouse over the cell.[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/static.sheetgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/notes-and-comments-\u2013-5.png” alt=”Google Sheets comment vs note 4″ title_text=”notes and comments \u2013 5″ align=”center” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n
Step 5:<\/h4>\n
In order to edit the note, navigate to the cell and click the note.<\/p>\n
To remove the note, simply delete the text inside the note.<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/static.sheetgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/notes-and-comments-\u2013-6.png” alt=”Google Sheets comment vs note 5″ title_text=”notes and comments \u2013 6″ align=”center” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n
How to use the comment feature in Google Sheets<\/h3>\n
To explain how to leave a comment, let\u2019s return to the previous example where I am running a summer camp for teenagers. A few days before the camp begins, I receive a call from the parents of Nedi, another teenager due to come to the camp, telling me that Nedi will not be there on the agreed arrival day. Here, I want to leave a comment on the cell asking my colleague to ring the parents and find out what day Nedi will be arriving.<\/p>\n
Let\u2019s say I am now attempting to ring the parents of students who have unapproved absences in order to note the reason for their absence. I am unable to get hold of Abran\u2019s parents, for now, so I want to leave a comment addressed to one of my colleagues so that they can ring them during their working hours.<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n
Step 1:<\/h4>\n
Select the cell you want to comment on, right-click and select Comment<\/b>.<\/p>\n
You can also use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl + Alt + M<\/b> or Cmd + Option + M<\/b> (Mac). [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/static.sheetgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/notes-and-comments-\u2013-7.png” alt=”Google Sheets comment vs note 6″ title_text=”notes and comments \u2013 7″ align=”center” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\nStep 2:<\/h4>\n
The cell you clicked should turn yellow and an empty text box should appear beside it.<\/p>\n
To mention someone in the comment, type @ and enter their email or username.<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/static.sheetgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/notes-and-comments-\u2013-8.png” alt=”Google Sheets comment vs note 7″ title_text=”notes and comments \u2013 8″ align=”center” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n
\tWhen you\u2019re happy with your comment, press Comment<\/b>.<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/static.sheetgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/notes-and-comments-\u2013-9.png” alt=”Google Sheets comment vs note 8″ title_text=”notes and comments \u2013 9″ align=”center” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n
Step 3:<\/h4>\n
If you have mentioned someone in a comment, you can also assign the comment as a task.<\/p>\n
To do this, simply check the box Assign to [name]<\/i><\/b>. Once you\u2019re happy with your comment, click Assign<\/b>.<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/static.sheetgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/notes-and-comments-\u2013-10.png” alt=”Google Sheets comment vs note 9″ title_text=”notes and comments \u2013 10″ align=”center” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n
Step 4:<\/h4>\n
There should now be a yellow triangle in the corner of your cell.<\/p>\n
To read the comment, hover the mouse over the cell.<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/static.sheetgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/notes-and-comments-\u2013-11.png” alt=”Google Sheets comment vs note 10″ title_text=”notes and comments \u2013 11″ align=”center” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n
Step 5:<\/h4>\n
To edit or delete the comment, hover over the cell and either click the tick or go to More options (\ufe19)<\/b> and select your desired action.<\/p>\n
You can also create a link for the specific comment to share with others.<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/static.sheetgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/notes-and-comments-\u2013-12.png” alt=”Google Sheets comment vs note 11″ title_text=”notes and comments \u2013 12″ align=”center” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n
Step 6:<\/h4>\n
My colleague can reply to my comment. Let\u2019s say they have commented back saying they have successfully called Abran\u2019s parents and can excuse the absence.<\/p>\n
To resolve the comment, I can click the tick icon on the top right-hand side of the comment.<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n
Using notes and comments in Google Sheets<\/h3>\n
And there you go! Comments and notes in Google Sheets are two great features to use when looking for a temporary solution to edit the spreadsheets that don\u2019t actually affect or add to the sheet itself. Notes are fantastic for more personal reminders, whereas comments are optimized to help you communicate with your collaborators.<\/p>\n
If you found this article helpful, take a look at our blog post on how to insert an image inside a cell in Google Sheets<\/a>!<\/p>\nAlternatively, check out our related blog posts below!<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.22.2″ background_color=”#f9f9ff” custom_margin=”40px||40px||false|false” custom_padding=”15px|25px|15px|25px|true|true” border_width_left=”3px” border_color_left=”#808e95″ saved_tabs=”all” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n
Editor\u2019s note<\/strong>: This is a revised version of a previous post that has been updated for accuracy and comprehensiveness.<\/em><\/p>\n[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
As you know, Google Sheets is a great spreadsheet tool that optimizes collaboration among people. Google\u2019s comment and note are just two of the very many features that take your spreadsheets to the next level. These two features can be used in a multitude of ways, from simple reminders and suggestions to assigning tasks and […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":41,"featured_media":38418,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"Most of us tend to write things down while we are working on something. We do so either to not lose track of things or to use them for reference at a future point in time. It is much more beneficial in case there are multiple people working on the task. In the context of working on computers, we have many means to document things which people can work with. Given the collaborative framework that Google Sheets is built upon, it is no wonder these utilities are built right into the cloud-based spreadsheets application. They are referred to as Notes and Comments in Google Sheets. Both are intended for us to be able to jot down things for future reference. However, there's a slight difference between them, which isn't directly obvious for the uninformed.\n\n \n
Notes and Comments in Google Sheets<\/h3>\nThe Google Sheets spreadsheets files are made up of cells. All the information we see is stored in these cells. Fred is the student coordinator for the executive recruitment process being held in his b-school. Here's the snapshot of the spreadsheet he uses to keep track of things.\n\nExample<\/strong> ![\"Notes](\"https:\/\/static.sheetgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/notescoments1.png\")
\n<\/h3>\nNotes<\/h3>\nSo far so good. But he wanted to make small text references against certain cells. Using a different column to hold this information may not be such a good idea. Because there could be much more such cells. What can Fred do? Simple. He can utilize the Notes functionality in Google Sheets to add additional information to cells. To do this, he will need to:\n\nSelect cell (for e.g. C2) > right click > choose 'Insert note' option<\/strong>\n\nExample<\/strong> ![\"\"](\"https:\/\/static.sheetgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/notescoments2.png\")
\n\nHe can then add the text of his choice and click somewhere else on the spreadsheet. The cell (in this example, C2) will show a dark triangle on the top right corner to indicate this cell contains a note. Hovering the mouse over this cell will pop the note as shown below.\n\nExample<\/strong>![\"Notes](\"https:\/\/static.sheetgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/notescoments3.png\")
\n\nA note is just a simple text notation, that is linked to a particular cell. It doesn't have a history. When we copy cells with notes to other cells or spreadsheets, both the cells' content and their corresponding notes gets copied. We can clear off the notes by right-clicking the cell and choosing 'Clear notes' option.\n\nA note is a handy utility that is good for a single-user situation.However, in a scenario where there are multiple users, an ideal solution is Comments.\n\n \nComments<\/h3>\nNik is Fred's assistant who also works on this spreadsheet. Nik has appropriate access permissions to this file. Fred wants Nik to find out the status with respect to Brandi Davidson (cell C4). With Notes, he couldn't assign something to Nik, but with Comments, he can:\n\nSelect cell (C4) > right click > choose 'Insert comment' option<\/strong>\n\nExample<\/strong> ![\"Notes](\"https:\/\/static.sheetgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/notescoments4.png\")
\n\nNot only can he initiate a conversation with people working on the spreadsheet (in this case, Nik), but also assign it to them, so that they can take an action on it.\n\nExample<\/strong> ![\"Notes](\"https:\/\/static.sheetgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/notescoments5.png\")
\n\nOnce assigned, Nik can respond to it, which Fred will see on his Google Sheets as shown in the image below.\n\nExample<\/strong> ![\"Notes](\"https:\/\/static.sheetgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/image.png\")
\n\nAfter the conversation draws to a conclusion, they can mark the conversation done and hide it.\n\nAs notes, comments can be copied from one document to another. And it\u2019s really simple to do it. Select \u201cMake a copy\u201d from the File menu and check the box \u201cCopy comments and suggestions\u201d or \u201cCopy comments\u201d, and that\u2019s it. Then, in the new sheet, will contain a note, saying that they were copied from the original one. Also, the conversation history is recorded and we can access it by clicking on the Comments<\/strong> button available at the top right corner.\n\nExample<\/strong> ![\"Notes](\"https:\/\/static.sheetgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/notescoments7.png\")
\nConclusion<\/h3>\nBoth notes and comments in Google sheets are handy means to help us keep track of things that we may forget. While the former supports a single user better, the latter helps us in case there are multiple users.","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[37],"tags":[39,28],"class_list":["post-5734","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-google-sheets-features","tag-connections-t","tag-spreadsheets"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sheetgo.com\/pt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5734","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sheetgo.com\/pt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sheetgo.com\/pt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sheetgo.com\/pt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/41"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sheetgo.com\/pt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5734"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.sheetgo.com\/pt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5734\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sheetgo.com\/pt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/38418"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sheetgo.com\/pt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5734"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sheetgo.com\/pt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5734"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sheetgo.com\/pt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5734"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
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