Modern Excel has two things attached to cells and they are not the same. A **comment** is threaded: it has an author, it can be replied to, and it can be resolved — built for a conversation with someone else about a number. A **note** is the old yellow sticky: no author, no replies, and it's the one that shows on hover and can be printed. When a file goes back and forth with an accountant, the difference matters — a resolved comment thread records the answer, and a note doesn't record anything but the question.

1. 1Ctrl + Alt + M adds a threaded comment. Shift + F2 adds a note.
2. 2Reply in the thread rather than editing the original — that's what preserves the exchange.
3. 3**Resolve** when it's settled; it collapses but stays readable. Review → Notes → Show All Notes prints them.

Press the shortcut to play it on a sample sheet.

• Ask your accountant about a specific figure and keep the answer next to it.
• Record why an accrual is the number it is, for next year's you.
• Mark up a draft for review without changing any values.