Shortcut to insert a comment or note in Excel
The keys
| Shortcut | Windows | Mac |
|---|---|---|
| Insert or edit a note | Shift+F2 | Shift+F2 |
| Insert a threaded comment, or reply to one | Ctrl+Shift+F2 | Command+Shift+F2 or Command+Return |
| Post the comment you typed | Ctrl+Enter | Command+Return |
Checked against Microsoft's official lists on . Where Microsoft lists a key for one platform only, the other column says so instead of guessing.
Notes vs comments
A note is a yellow sticky label on the cell, for an explanation that stays: "Rate from the 2026 contract". A threaded comment is a conversation: people reply, @mention each other and resolve it when done. Since Microsoft 365 changed the names, the old "comments" are now notes.
Move between comments
- On Windows, Alt+R, N goes to the next comment and Alt+R, V to the previous one (Review tab KeyTips).
- Alt+R, D deletes the comments in the selected cells.
- On a Mac, open the Comments pane from the Review tab and move through it with Tab.
When Shift+F2 does nothing
- Laptop: press Fn+Shift+F2, or turn on the Fn lock.
- Mac: F2 may be a brightness key; use Fn+Shift+F2 or the function-key setting.
- The sheet is protected with editing objects turned off. Unprotect it on the Review tab.
Why a shortcut sometimes does nothing
Laptop function keys
On many laptops the top row changes volume or brightness first, so F2 or F4 does nothing in Excel. Hold Fn with the key (Fn+F4), or turn on the laptop's function-key lock. On many Windows laptops that lock is Fn+Esc, but it varies by brand, so look for a small padlock or "Fn" icon on the Esc key.
Mac function keys
Excel for Mac uses the function keys for real commands, but macOS gives them to brightness, Mission Control and volume first. Press Fn with the key, or turn on "Use F1, F2, etc. keys as standard function keys" (System Settings > Keyboard > Keyboard Shortcuts > Function Keys on recent macOS). After that, the printed features need Fn instead, so Fn+F12 changes the volume.
KeyTips change with the language
Alt sequences such as Alt+H, O, I are ribbon KeyTips: press Alt and the letters appear on screen. They come from the English ribbon. In another language, or when an add-in adds a tab, the letters can differ, so read them off the screen rather than memorizing them.
Related shortcuts
| Shortcut | Windows | Mac |
|---|---|---|
| Go to the next commentA Review tab KeyTips sequence. Not in Microsoft's Mac list. | Alt+R, N | —No Mac shortcut in Microsoft's list |
| Go to the previous commentA Review tab KeyTips sequence. Not in Microsoft's Mac list. | Alt+R, V | —No Mac shortcut in Microsoft's list |
| Delete the comments in the selected cellsA Review tab KeyTips sequence. Not in Microsoft's Mac list. | Alt+R, D | —No Mac shortcut in Microsoft's list |
| Edit the active cell How to: Absolute reference shortcut in Excel (F4 and Cmd+T) The cursor goes to the end of the contents. While you edit a formula, F2 switches arrow keys between moving the cursor and pointing at cells. | F2 | F2 or Control+U |
FAQ
What is the shortcut to insert a comment in Excel?
Ctrl+Shift+F2 on Windows and the web, Cmd+Shift+F2 on a Mac. Microsoft also lists Cmd+Return on a Mac to insert or reply to a threaded comment.
What is the shortcut for a note?
Shift+F2 on every platform. Press it again on the same cell to edit the note.
How do I post a comment without the mouse?
Press Ctrl+Enter on Windows or Cmd+Return on a Mac.
Related guides
All editing cells shortcutsAll Excel shortcutsPrintable sheet