In responding to a question, people often post their comments as an answer rather than a comment. (I did that a few times before realizing that there is a smaller button for comments.)
Is there a way to convert those “answers” to comments? That is, can someone with enough karma or authority do that?
Below the answer, there is a “more” link (menu). If you click on it you are offered Repost answer as comment. I don’t know if karma is needed.
In case you need karma for this repost, an alternate way is to open a comment, copy and paste the “answer” and post comment. Then you delete your answer.
However, be aware that a comment is limiter to ~1000 characters while an answer is virtually unlimited.
To show the community your question has been answered, click the ✓ next to the correct answer, and “upvote” by clicking on the ^ arrow of any helpful answers. These are the mechanisms for communicating the quality of the Q&A on this site. Thanks!
Hi ajlitoz,
Thank you for the informative response.
I am actually trying to understand if someone who is not the poster can change the “answer” to a comment. As you have undoubtedly noticed, this site is riddled with numerous “answers” that are really comments.
This can cause problems. For example, people who might be able to answer a question are misled to think that it has already been answered. I would like to see if there is a way to tidy up this problem with the site.
Even better, of course, would be to change the interface so it is easier to add a comment than an answer.
@catbill Have not seen a method as you suggest. A few times have taken one of these answers which was just further information, copied it, added it to the original question (with an edited note) and then deleted the answer. Time consuming and need care not to lose info.
And noteworthy, deleting the answer will delete the comments attached to it!
The re-posting as comment is only valid to modify an answer if it was your own.
That is a good idea, although as you say it needs to be done carefully.
It looks like I don’t have enough karma to delete answers, so appreciate your tidying efforts all the more.