What is the purpose of using cell comments in Excel?

Using cell comments in Excel serves the specific purpose of adding notes or explanations for individual cells without altering the actual data contained in those cells. This feature is particularly useful for providing additional context or clarification, which can be beneficial when collaborating with others or revisiting a spreadsheet after some time. Comments allow users to convey important information, instructions, or reminders relevant to the content of the cell, enhancing understanding without modifying the displayed data itself.

This function is valuable in various scenarios, such as detailing how a figure was calculated, explaining assumptions behind certain data, or highlighting areas that require attention. The visibility of the comments can often be controlled, allowing users to see this information as needed, which keeps the spreadsheet clean and organized while still offering necessary insights.

While the other options pertain to functions that Excel offers—such as changing the appearance of a cell, creating hyperlinks, or performing calculations—they do not align with the primary purpose of cell comments, which is focused on enhancing communication and context within the spreadsheet environment.