Notes/Comments not Visible when File is Opened in Web/Browser

Question

I am opening the excel file using Sharepoint online (Open in Web/Browser option) and the comments/notes do not appear even though I hover over the comment/note indicator. But when I choose Open file In App, comments and notes are visible when I hover the comment/note indicator. I already checked the File>Options>Advanced>Display and the selection for Cells with Comments are correctly set. The only problem is viewing the comments and notes when the file is opened in browser.

PS: I have used Microsoft Edge and Google Chrome and the problem persisted on both browser.

Answer 1

Dear Maria,

Good day! Thank you for posting to Microsoft Community. We are happy to help you.

It seems you can't see comments when you open a File using Excel for web, but comments are visible when you hoover a cursor over a cell using Excel desktop app! You have tried both Edge and Chrome.

I tested from my side, and I can view comments in both Desktop app and in a browser:

Excel in the browser:

Excel for Desktop:

Note: I have noticed that with Excel for web, you need to extend cursor to the corner of the cell highlighted part as shown bellow: where as Excel for desktop, you just need to hoover cursor over the cell.

Due to this situation, I would like to give some suggestions and at the same time collect more information from your side to help us troubleshoot further:

1. May I know if this issue happens to a specific file or all files?
2. Do other users experience the same issue?
3. Where is your file saved? OneDrive for Business? Personal OneDrive or SharePoint Site library?

If I misunderstood your question, please post back and point it out.

Thank you for your kind understanding that the initial reply may not help instantly resolve issues but we can work together and come to a conclusion.

We really apologize for the inconvenience. Thank you for your cooperation. We look forward to your reply.

Sincerely, 

Edwine | Microsoft Community Moderator

Answer 2

From my side, at first comments invisible,I need to click the cell with the comments and then click show comments on the popup menu to show comments.

Answer 3

Hi Edwin,

Thanks for checking my inquiry.

For your questions:

1. May I know if this issue happens to a specific file or all files? -- The issue observed in 1 specific file only.
2. Do other users experience the same issue? -- YES. We are a team with more than 150 users utilizing the same file everyday as it is related to hiring and recruitment in the company.
3. Where is your file saved? OneDrive for Business? Personal OneDrive or SharePoint Site library? -- The file is saved on a Microsoft Teams Group Chat where we open the document from the "Files"

The issue still persists, Every month we utilize a new file to update hiring status of more than 700 applicants every day, so I will check if the new file for September 2022 will have the same issue when opened using web browser.

Answer 4

Hi Maria,

Thanks for posting back with the requested information.

As we can't reproduce the issue, I suggest you please try to use the browser in Private Window and see the behavior.

You may also try to change the network environment, and give it some few minutes, keep checking and see if you can hoover the cursor and see the Comments.

As you know Microsoft Team files are saved in OneDrive in a folder named "Microsoft Teams Chat Files", could you please go to your OneDrive in the browser, open that folder and open the file in the browser, wait a few minutes and see if you can see the comments:

Thanks for your cooperation. We look forward to your reply.

Sincerely, 

Edwine | Microsoft Community Moderator