Select a cell and press Ctrl + Alt + M on Windows, or Command + Option + M on Mac, to open a comment in Google Sheets.
Open the comment composer
Comments attach a discussion to the selected cell or range. Select the relevant data before opening the composer so collaborators can see what the comment concerns.
- Select the cell or range to discuss.
- Press the comment shortcut.
- Type your comment.
- Click Comment when you are ready to post, or Cancel to discard it.
Use the menu instead
Use Insert > Comment or the cell’s context menu to open a comment. This is useful if the keyboard combination is intercepted by another application.
Mention a collaborator deliberately
Type @ followed by the collaborator’s name or email and choose the intended person. Mentions and assignments can send email notifications, so check the recipient before posting.
Reply or resolve a discussion
Open the existing comment and use Reply to continue the thread. Resolve closes a finished discussion. You can view resolved discussions in the comments panel and reopen them when needed.
Check commenting access
Commenter or editor access can permit commenting. A view-only file may prevent adding a comment. Ask the owner for suitable access if the controls are unavailable.
Use a note for a simple explanation
If the purpose is only to explain a value, a cell note may be a better fit. Notes have no reply thread or assignment workflow. Shift + F2 opens a note.
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