Configure comments for judges

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

Configure judging comments

This video shows menu navigation that has since changed.

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

• Overall comment on the entry. This option is available on all judging modes.
• Comment on individual scoring criteria. This option is available in VIP Judging.

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

1. In the Manage workspace, go to Judging > Settings > Score sets
2. Click on the Score set name
3. Go to the Display tab, under Commenting, check the Registered users can comment box
4. 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. 


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:  

1. Open the Manage workspace and navigate to Judging > Settings > Score sets
2. Click on the Score set name
3. Go to the 'Display' tab, under 'Commenting', check the Comments on individual scores invited box (this will display a comment box for each scoring criteria)  
4. Click Save

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

Display (share) judging comments between judges

If you want judges to be able to see each others’ comments:

1. From the Manage workspace, go to Judging > Settings > Score sets
2. Click on the Score set you want to edit
3. Open the Display tab
4. Under Commenting, check the Users can see each other’s comments on this score set box
5. Click Save

Display comments on feedback view

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

Download judging comments

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

1. From the Manage workspace, navigate to Judging > Leaderboard
2. Open the Export drop-down
3. Hover your cursor over Scores + comments and select either Excel or CSV file
4. Your export file will be sent to your email with a link to the file when it’s ready and may take a few minutes with large exports
5. The Excel/CSV sheet will have a row for each judge and their comments and scores per entry

Read more about Exports