Forum Discussion

Joao68Balem's avatar
Joao68Balem
Copper Contributor
Aug 30, 2025

Dynamic comments linked to formulas

Description

Currently, Excel comments and notes are static text. They cannot be dynamically updated to reflect the result of a formula or the value of a cell.

This feature request proposes enabling dynamic comments/notes that link directly to a cell or formula, so the content of the comment updates automatically whenever the referenced cell changes.

 

Use Cases

Data Monitoring: Show real-time explanations or alerts when a threshold is exceeded (e.g., inventory below safety level, performance above target).

Dynamic Documentation: Provide instant, context-based explanations for cells driven by calculations, improving clarity in complex models.

Interactive Dashboards: Allow users to hover over key cells and see live updates without relying on VBA or Power Automate.

 

Example

Cell B2 contains a formula:

=IF(A2>100, "High Risk", "Normal")

A dynamic comment in cell A2 could automatically show:

"Status: High Risk"

and update to "Normal" if the value changes.

 

Suggested Implementation

Add a formula field in the comment properties pane.

Optionally support referencing named ranges and structured table references.

Ensure compatibility with Excel Online and Excel Desktop.

 

Benefits

Eliminates the need for VBA or add-ins.

Improves user experience and reduces errors in collaborative environments.

Adds a lightweight, dynamic documentation layer to spreadsheets.

Resources