Select a cell and press Shift + F2 to add or edit a note in Google Sheets. Type the explanation and press Escape to save and return to the grid.
Add a note to a cell
A note adds supporting text while keeping the cell value intact. In the sample, B2 remains 24 and the note explains that the count includes an unopened box.
- Select B2.
- Press Shift + F2. On some laptops, also hold Fn to send F2.
- Type the note text.
- Press Escape.
Read and edit the note
Hover over the noted cell to read it, or select the cell and press Shift + F2 again. Edit the text and press Escape. Our test saved and reopened the same note successfully.
Use the context menu
Right-click a cell and choose Insert note when adding a note. The label may change when the cell already has a note. Use the note command rather than the separate comment command.
Delete a note without deleting the value
Open the note, remove its text and press Escape. This removes the annotation while preserving the cell value. Clearing the cell contents is a different action.
Choose a note or a comment
Use notes for brief explanations attached to data. Use comments for a discussion with replies or assignments. Notes do not provide the threaded discussion and resolve workflow of comments.
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