# Adding a description to a dataset column

If you need to add more context to a column or to leave instructions to a collaborator, you can add a description to each column of your dataset or edit an existing one.

## About this task

You need the Dataset Manager role to create and edit descriptions. For more information about roles, check [Talend Management Console User Guide](https://help.qlik.com/talend/r/en-US/Cloud/management-console-user-guide).

The descriptions are available in read-only mode on preparations.

## Procedure

1. Go to the Sample view of the dataset.
2. With the Grid display mode, click the column header.

   ![Description tab selected.](https://help.qlik.com/talend/en-US/data-inventory-user-guide/Resources/images/inv-column-description.png)
3. In the right panel, select the Description tab.
4. Hover over the placeholder text and click the Edit icon.
5. Add the description and click the Submit icon.

## Results

The description has been added. Columns with descriptions are marked with the ![information](https://help.qlik.com/talend/en-US/data-inventory-user-guide/Resources/images/inv-dataset-column-icon.png) icon.

![Columns with information icon.](https://help.qlik.com/talend/en-US/data-inventory-user-guide/Resources/images/inv-column-description-example.png)

Information noteNote: When using the lookup feature in Talend Cloud Data Preparation, comments previously added in the lookup dataset via Talend Cloud Data Inventory will be displayed in the preparation.