Configure comments for judges

Alex Bon Ami

Updated October 15, 2024 14:59

Which judging modes support comments?

Your program may require judges to make comments on entries. This option is available on all judging modes:

Qualifying
Top pick
VIP judging
Voting
Gallery

Note: by default, comments are not shown to entrants. However, sharing comments with entrants can be configured in the form of a feedback round. This setting applies to all entrants and is not selective to some.

Configure judging comments

Judges can leave a comment(s) in two ways:

Overall comment on the entry; available on all judging modes
Comment on individual scoring criteria; available in VIP Judging only

To enable judges to leave a comment(s) on the overall entry using a comment box at the bottom of the page:

In the Manage workspace, go to Judging > Settings > Score sets
Click on the score set's name
Go to the 'Display' tab
Under the 'Commenting' heading, select the Comment on entry invited checkbox
Click Save

You can also select Comment on entry required which will make comments on each entry mandatory before judging is considered complete.

Tip: judges can also include a file with their comments by clicking the file icon in the commenting area.
Judge file upload icon in commenting

Accepted file types include .gif, .jpg, .jpeg, .png, .doc, .docx, .pdf, .xls, and .xlsx.

To enable judges to leave a comment(s) on every scoring criterion:

Open the Manage workspace and navigate to Judging > Settings > Score sets
Click on the score set's name
Go to the 'Display' tab
Under 'Commenting', check the Comments on every score invited box
Click Save

You can also select Comment on every score required which will make comments on scoring criteria mandatory before judging is considered complete.

Note: when judges are scoring, there is an autosave about every 2-3 seconds. If a judge clicks Save + next before completing the required comment, a message will appear reminding them a comment is required but will still allow them to continue scoring other entries and save their scores. Their judging assignments will not be marked as complete until the comment is added, however.

For programs with a Pro subscription and above, you can allow judges to be able to see each others’ comments by editing role permissions.

From the Manage workspace, go to Judging > Settings > Score sets
Click on the score set you want to edit
Open the 'Display' tab
Under 'Commenting', select the Users can see each others’ comments on this score set checkbox
Click Save
Next, go to Settings > Users > Roles
Choose the role for judges assigned to panels for this judging stage
Click Advanced at the top of the page
Set the Scores (others) View permission to Allow
Save the role

Display comments on feedback view

In the Manage workspace, go to Judging > Settings > Score sets
Click on the Score set you want to edit
Open the 'Display' tab
Under 'Commenting', check the Display comments on feedback view box
Save
Configure a feedback round to see how this appears to entrants

Note: judging feedback comments can only be shared between judges in VIP judging.

Download judging comments

By default, only the program manager can download the judges' comments via the leaderboard.

From the Manage workspace, navigate to Judging > Leaderboard
Open the Export drop-down
Hover your cursor over Scores + comments and select either Excel or CSV file

Your export file will be sent to your email with a link to the file when it’s ready. Depending on the size of the export, this may take a few minutes to appear.

The Excel/CSV sheet will have a row for each judge and their comments and scores per entry.

Video overview

Note: this video does not display the updated commenting options.