Excel for Microsoft 365 has two kinds of annotations: comments, which are threaded conversations you can reply to (marked with a purple corner), and notes, the classic yellow sticky notes (marked with a red corner). Deleting them works almost the same way, and you can remove one, a selection, or every comment in the sheet or workbook. This guide covers all the options on Windows, Mac, and Excel for the web.
Quick Answer
Right-click the cell with the comment and choose Delete Comment. Or select the cell and click Review > Delete in the Comments group. To delete all comments on a sheet, press Ctrl + A and click Review > Delete, or use Home > Clear > Clear Comments and Notes.
Comments vs. Notes
| Comments | Notes | |
|---|---|---|
| Indicator | Purple corner | Red corner |
| Purpose | Conversation with replies and mentions | Simple annotation |
| Delete from right-click menu | Delete Comment | Delete Note |
| Ribbon | Review > Comments group > Delete | Review > Notes > (right-click the cell, Delete Note) |
Delete a Single Comment
Right-click method
- Right-click the cell with the purple indicator.
- Click Delete Comment.
Review tab method
- Select the cell.
- Click the Review tab.
- In the Comments group, click Delete.
From the comment thread
Hover over the cell to open the thread, click the More thread actions (three dots) button, and choose Delete thread. To remove only one reply, hover over that reply, click its three dots, and choose Delete comment.
Delete Multiple Comments
- Select the cells (hold Ctrl to select non-adjacent cells).
- Click Review > Delete, or right-click and choose Delete Comment.
Delete All Comments on a Sheet
- Press Ctrl + A (twice if needed) to select the whole sheet, or click the triangle at the top-left corner of the grid.
- Click Review > Delete.
Alternative: with the sheet selected, go to Home > Clear (eraser icon) and choose Clear Comments and Notes. This removes both types at once.
To find every comment first, use Home > Find & Select > Go To Special > Comments (or Notes on some versions), then delete.
Delete All Comments in the Workbook
Right-click any sheet tab and choose Select All Sheets, then select all cells and use Home > Clear > Clear Comments and Notes. Right-click a tab and choose Ungroup Sheets afterward.
You can also use File > Info > Check for Issues > Inspect Document, check Comments, click Inspect, and then Remove All. This is a good step before sharing a file externally.
Resolve Instead of Delete
If a discussion is finished but you want to keep a record, open the thread and click Resolve thread. The comment is hidden from view but stays in the file and can be reopened.
Delete Notes
- Right-click the cell with the red indicator.
- Click Delete Note.
To convert notes to comments instead, go to Review > Notes > Convert to Comments.
Excel for Mac and the Web
- Mac: right-click (or Control-click) the cell and choose Delete Comment, or use Review > Delete.
- Web: right-click the cell and choose Delete Comment, or open the thread and choose Delete thread.
Troubleshooting
Delete is grayed out
The sheet may be protected. Go to Review > Unprotect Sheet. You also need edit permission for shared files.
I cannot delete someone else's reply
In shared workbooks, you can generally delete only your own replies, though you can delete the entire thread.
Comments came back
A collaborator may have restored the file or added new ones. Check File > Info > Version History.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a shortcut to delete a comment in Excel?
There is no single default shortcut, but you can press Shift + F10 (or the Menu key) to open the right-click menu and choose Delete Comment.
Can I undo deleting a comment?
Yes. Press Ctrl + Z right away.
Does Clear All remove comments?
Yes. Home > Clear > Clear All removes contents, formatting, comments, and notes from the selected cells.
Summary
- Right-click a cell and choose Delete Comment, or use Review > Delete.
- Select all cells first to delete every comment on a sheet.
- Use Clear Comments and Notes to remove both types at once.
- Use Inspect Document to remove all comments before sharing.
Kermit Matthews is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with more than a decade of experience writing technology guides. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science and has spent much of his professional career in IT management.
He specializes in writing content about iPhones, Android devices, Microsoft Office, and many other popular applications and devices.