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Google Sheets Tips

How to Insert a Note in Google Sheets

In this article, you will learn how to attach a note to a cell in Google Sheets.

A note inserted in a cell is helpful to notify your collaborators of what they need to care about when they look at the cell.

How to add a note to a cell in Google Sheets

With shortcut

  • Select a cell in which you want to insert a note.

  • Press “Shift”+”F2”, which brings up a text box.

  • Type texts in the text box.

  • Click somewhere outside of the text box.’

Without shortcut -1 

  • Select a cell in which you want to insert a note.

  • Right-click“Insert note”.

  • Type texts in the text box.

  • Click somewhere outside of the text box.

How to insert a note without a shortcut in Google Sheets

Without shortcut - 2

  • Select a cell in which you want to insert a note.

  • Navigate to the “Insert” tab → “Note”.

  • Type texts in the text box.

  • Click somewhere outside of the text box.

How to add a note without a shortcut in Google Sheets

You see a small black triangle at the top right corner of the cell if the note is inserted successfully.

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How do you show a note in Google Sheets?

It is very simple. The note automatically pops up when you hover or put your cursor on a cell containing a note.

How to edit an existing note in Google Sheets

You can edit an existing note by double-clicking the cell containing the current note. If you want to expand the text box, left-click the stripe at the bottom right of the text box and drag it until you get enough space for your texts.

How to expand a text box for a note in Google Sheets

How to delete a note in Google Sheets

Method 1

  • Double-click the cell including the note you want to remove.

  • Delete all texts in the text box

  • Click somewhere outside of the text box.

Method 2

  • Right-click on a cell with a note, which brings a pop-up menu.

  • Select “Delete notes“.

How to delete a note in a cell in Google Sheets

What's the difference between a comment and a note in Google Sheets?

A comment and a note are common because both can leave some texts in a text box. However, a comment is functionally superior to a note. The difference between a comment and a note is as follows: with a comment function, you can 

  • tag someone;

  • assign a comment as a task to someone;

  • tell who left the comment

  • save a thread in the comment history

  • re-open a saved conversation if necessary

  • reply to a comment another collaborator left; and

  • check previous interaction

In conclusion, you can use the two functions well, depending on your purpose.

How do I add a comment to a cell in Google Docs?

Check this article to learn how to attach a comment to a cell in Google Sheets.

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