Intro
Hiding comments in Excel can be a useful feature, especially when you're working with a large spreadsheet and want to declutter your workspace. Comments can be helpful for leaving notes or reminders, but they can also be distracting if you have a lot of them. Fortunately, Excel provides a simple shortcut to hide comments.
To start, let's talk about why hiding comments might be useful. If you're working on a project with multiple team members, comments can be a great way to communicate and leave feedback. However, if you're presenting your spreadsheet to someone or printing it out, you might not want all those comments visible. That's where hiding comments comes in.
Hiding comments can also help you focus on the data itself, rather than getting distracted by notes and reminders. By hiding comments, you can get a clearer view of your spreadsheet and make it easier to analyze your data. This can be especially helpful if you're working with a large dataset or complex formulas.
So, how do you hide comments in Excel? The shortcut is simple: just press Ctrl + Shift + F. This will toggle comment visibility on and off. If you want to hide all comments, press Ctrl + Shift + F, and if you want to show them again, press Ctrl + Shift + F again.
It's worth noting that this shortcut only hides comments, it doesn't delete them. So, if you need to access a comment later, you can simply press Ctrl + Shift + F again to show all comments.
Benefits of Hiding Comments

There are several benefits to hiding comments in Excel. For one, it can help declutter your workspace and make it easier to focus on your data. Comments can be distracting, especially if you have a lot of them. By hiding them, you can get a clearer view of your spreadsheet and make it easier to analyze your data.
Another benefit of hiding comments is that it can help you present your spreadsheet in a more professional way. If you're presenting your spreadsheet to someone or printing it out, you might not want all those comments visible. By hiding them, you can make your spreadsheet look more polished and professional.
Here are some other benefits of hiding comments:
- Reduced clutter: Hiding comments can help declutter your workspace and make it easier to focus on your data.
- Improved presentation: Hiding comments can help you present your spreadsheet in a more professional way.
- Increased productivity: By hiding comments, you can get a clearer view of your spreadsheet and make it easier to analyze your data.
How to Use the Shortcut
Using the shortcut to hide comments is simple. Just follow these steps: 1. Select the cell or range of cells that contains the comments you want to hide. 2. Press Ctrl + Shift + F. 3. This will toggle comment visibility on and off.Note that this shortcut only hides comments, it doesn't delete them. So, if you need to access a comment later, you can simply press Ctrl + Shift + F again to show all comments.
Alternatives to Hiding Comments

While hiding comments can be useful, there are some alternatives you might want to consider. For example, you could use a separate worksheet or notebook to store your comments and notes. This can help keep your main spreadsheet clean and clutter-free.
Another alternative is to use Excel's built-in note-taking features, such as the "Notes" section in the Review tab. This allows you to leave notes and comments without cluttering up your main spreadsheet.
Here are some other alternatives to hiding comments:
- Using a separate worksheet or notebook to store comments and notes.
- Using Excel's built-in note-taking features, such as the "Notes" section in the Review tab.
- Creating a separate comment sheet or worksheet to store all your comments.
Best Practices for Using Comments
While comments can be useful, there are some best practices to keep in mind when using them. For example, it's a good idea to keep your comments concise and to the point. This will help prevent clutter and make it easier to read and understand your comments.Another best practice is to use clear and descriptive language in your comments. This will help ensure that your comments are easy to understand and that they provide useful context and information.
Here are some other best practices for using comments:
- Keep comments concise and to the point.
- Use clear and descriptive language in comments.
- Use comments to provide context and information, rather than to ask questions or request feedback.
Common Mistakes to Avoid

When using comments in Excel, there are some common mistakes to avoid. For example, it's a good idea to avoid using comments to ask questions or request feedback. Instead, use comments to provide context and information, and use other features, such as the "Review" tab, to request feedback and ask questions.
Another mistake to avoid is using comments to store large amounts of data or information. Comments are meant to be brief and concise, and using them to store large amounts of data can make your spreadsheet cluttered and difficult to read.
Here are some other common mistakes to avoid:
- Using comments to ask questions or request feedback.
- Using comments to store large amounts of data or information.
- Not keeping comments up to date and relevant.
Tips and Tricks
Here are some tips and tricks for using comments in Excel: * Use comments to provide context and information, rather than to ask questions or request feedback. * Keep comments concise and to the point. * Use clear and descriptive language in comments. * Use the "Review" tab to request feedback and ask questions.Gallery of Excel Comment Images
Excel Comment Images










What is the shortcut to hide comments in Excel?
+The shortcut to hide comments in Excel is Ctrl + Shift + F.
How do I show hidden comments in Excel?
+To show hidden comments in Excel, press Ctrl + Shift + F again.
Can I delete comments in Excel?
+
In conclusion, hiding comments in Excel can be a useful feature, especially when you're working with a large spreadsheet and want to declutter your workspace. By using the shortcut Ctrl + Shift + F, you can easily hide and show comments in your spreadsheet. Remember to use comments wisely and keep them concise and to the point. With these tips and tricks, you can make the most of comments in Excel and improve your productivity and workflow. We invite you to share your thoughts and experiences with using comments in Excel in the comments section below.