File Sharing Problems

How to Fix Excel Comment @Mentions Not Sending Notifications

Olivia Miller Oct 9, 2026 869 views

Question details

Users are unable to send or receive email notifications when tagging someone using @mentions in Excel comments.

How to Fix Excel Comment @Mentions Not Sending Notifications

Product: Microsoft Excel
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Collaborating on an Excel workbook and trying to notify a colleague using the @mention feature in comments.
Observed behavior: The @mention does not trigger an email notification to the tagged user, often due to file location, account type, or using legacy notes instead of modern comments.

Before you start

Ensure that the user you are trying to @mention has a valid email address and that you have an active internet connection to sync changes to the cloud.

Solution 1Recommended

Verify File Storage and Account Type

@Mentions in Excel require the file to be saved in a specific enterprise cloud environment.

Microsoft restricts the @mention notification feature in Excel to enterprise and educational accounts. If your file is stored locally or on a personal cloud account, the notification engine will not trigger.

Check cloud storage location

Ensure the Excel workbook is saved in SharePoint or OneDrive for work or school. Personal OneDrive accounts do not support @mention notifications.

Verify file permissions

Go to the 'Share' button in the top right corner and verify that the recipient has permission to view or edit the document.

Input the full email address

When typing the @ symbol in the comment box, enter the recipient's full email address to ensure the system locates the correct user directory.

Account Limitation: This feature is exclusively available for Microsoft 365 enterprise, work, or school accounts. Personal accounts cannot send @mention emails.

Solution 2

Switch from Legacy Notes to Modern Comments

Excel has both 'Notes' (legacy) and 'Comments' (modern). @Mentions only work in modern comments.

Solution 3

Clear Browser Cache and Test Alternatives

If using Excel for the Web, browser cache or extensions might block background notification scripts.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why doesn't the @mention show my colleague's name when I type it in Excel?

This usually happens if the workbook is not saved in a SharePoint or OneDrive for business environment, or if your organization's directory is not properly synced. Try typing their full email address manually instead.

Can I use @mentions in Excel with a personal Microsoft account?

No, Microsoft currently restricts the @mention email notification feature to OneDrive for work or school and SharePoint environments. Personal Microsoft accounts do not support this functionality.

Are Excel Notes and Comments the same thing?

No. Excel previously used 'Comments' for what are now called 'Notes' (the yellow boxes that appear on hover). Modern 'Comments' are threaded conversations designed for collaboration and are the only annotation type that supports @mentions.

Document & File Issues