How to Reference Comments in Excel (3 Easy Methods)

Sometimes we need to create comments in Excel because it helps to remember any information for the user or the other users. If you don’t know how to do it then you have come to the right place. From here, you will learn 3 easy methods to reference comments in excel with proper illustrations.

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You can download the free Excel workbook from here and practice on your own.

3 Ways to Reference Comments in Excel

Let’s get introduced to our dataset first, it represents some books’ published years and prices.

1. Using N Function to Reference Comments

In our very first method, we’ll learn how to reference comments using a function. The N function will be used here. The way is simple, after using any function, just use plus sign and then insert the comment into the N function. Let’s insert a comment with the SUM function in cell D11.

Steps:

• Write the following formula in Cell D11–

• Later, just press the ENTER button.

Then you will see that the comment exists with the SUM function and it doesn’t affect the SUM function.

2. Applying Shortcut Keys to Reference Comments

Also, we can use a keyboard shortcut to reference comments. The shortcut key is- SHIFT + F2.

Steps:

• Select the cell where you want to add a comment. I selected Cell D11.
• Next, press the SHIFT + F2 keys together.

• The comment box will pop up soon. Then just write the comment.

Read More: [Solved:] Insert Comment Not Working in Excel (2 Simple Solutions)

3. Reference Comments Using Review Ribbon

In Excel 365, there are two ways to reference comments- New Note / New Comment. In the earlier versions, there was only one way.

3.1. Applying New Note Command

The Note command will work as the second method and will give the same output.

Steps:

• Select a cell. I selected Cell D11.
• click as follows: Review > Notes > New Note.

• Soon after the comment box will open up for the cell, just type the comment then.

Read More: Difference Between Threaded Comments and Notes in Excel

3.2. Applying New Comment Command

It is only available in Excel 365. By using this command the other user also can comment and chat.

Steps:

• Select the cell where you want to add a comment. I selected Cell B9.
• Next, click as follows: Review > New Comment.

Soon after, a comment box will open up with your MS account name.

• Type your comment and press the ENTER button.

Then it will look like the image below.

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How to Use Comments in Excel

In the previous section, we learned all the possible ways to add comments. Now we’ll learn how to use or operate comments.

Navigate Comments

If you have multiple comments in your worksheet then instead of clicking every time, you can navigate the comments using commands.

Steps:

• To go to the next comment, just click as follows: Review > Notes > Next Note.

• See, it moved to the second comment of my sheet. To go back to the previous comment, use the Previous Note command.

Show All Comments

If we wanna see all the comments at a time then it’s also possible in Excel.

Step:

• Just click as follows: Review > Notes > Show All Notes.

Now have a look, all the comments are showed up.

Read More: How to Find Comments in Excel (4 Easy Methods)

Hide Comments

As Excel can show all the comments at a time, of course, Excel can hide them all at a time too.

Step:

• To do that, again click as follows: Review > Notes > Show All Notes.

Here you see, Excel has hidden all the comments.

Read More: How to Hide Comments in Excel (4 Quick Methods)

Copy Comments

If you want to use the same comment then no need to rewrite it, there is a way to copy the comment box. Here, I’ll copy the comment from Cell B5 to B9.

Steps:

• First, copy Cell B5.

• Then right-click on Cell B9 and select Paste Special from the Context menu.

• After that, mark Comments and Notes and press OK.

Now see, the same comment is added to Cell B9.

Read More: How to Copy Comments to Another Cell in Excel (2 Methods)

Delete Comments

Deleting any kind of comment is quite easy. For that, there is a Delete command in the Review ribbon.

Steps:

• Select the cell from where you want to remove the comment. I selected Cell B5.
• Then just click Review > Delete.

There is no comment icon anymore, which means the comment is deleted.

Read More: How to Remove Pop-up Comments in Excel (4 Suitable Ways)

Format Reference Comments

Excel offers a lot of options to change the format of a comment box. From there, you can change the font, color, alignment, etc. let’s see how to do it.

Steps:

• Right-click on the comment box and select Format Comment from the context menu.

Soon after a dialog box will open up.

• Let’s change something. I selected Italic from the Font style and red color.

Now you see, the comment has been changed according to my chosen format.

Read More: Creating and Editing Excel Comments to Cells – [An Ultimate Guide]!

Conclusion

I hope the procedures described above will be good enough to reference comments in Excel. Feel free to ask any question in the comment section and please give me feedback. Visit ExcelDemy to explore more.

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